so, for you can see that I am really a
prisoner."

"So am I; and that is just where we ought to be friends, and stand by
each other," said Percy with a good deal of enthusiasm. "I can see
through a brick wall, when there is a hole in it."

"Good eyes you have, Percy, and you don't have to wear glasses."

"I don't know much about logic; but if the Bellevite is not going into
the Confederate navy, as I supposed when we came into Mobile Bay, I can
figure it out that she is not going to stay in these parts at all."

"That's your logic, Percy, not mine; but I don't think I care to argue
the question on the other side," said Christy, making very light of the
whole matter, though he was vastly more interested than he was willing
to acknowledge.

"She is going to get out of Mobile Bay, and she is going to do it just
as soon as she can. Now, the question is, where is she going then?"

"You will have to put that question to my father, Percy," said Christy.
"He can tell you what he is going to do a great deal better than I can."

"He is not within ear-shot of me just now: if he were, I would ask him
without stopping to soap my tongue."

"You may see him before long. I don't know what your brother is about
just now; and, for aught I know, he may intend to capture the
Bellevite."

"I reckon he will have a good time doing it, if your father and Captain
Breaker haven't a mind to let him do it."

"They will not wish to fight, even for their steamer, here in Mobile
Bay. I know that my father intended to keep the peace. Besides, your
brother may think there are few men on board of the vessel."

"I want to get on board of the Bellevite anyhow!" exclaimed Percy,
bluntly coming to the point at which he had been aiming for some time.

"I shall not do any thing to prevent you from doing so," added Christy.

"I don't say that I want to go into the Yankee navy, or that I will lift
a finger against my country, mind you."

He seemed to be equally unwilling to lift a finger for it.

"I don't ask you to do any thing against your conscience, Percy."

"If the Bellevite gets out of the bay with you and me on board,
I believe I can find some way to get back to Nassau. That is what I
am driving at."

"I can't say that the steamer will not go there," added Christy, who did
not mean to commit himself.

Suddenly, without any bell from the pilot-house, the engine of the
Leopard stopped; but Christy was not at all surprised at the failu