n.

"That is all very true, captain; and I was more interested in this
engine than I have ever been in any other, and it has fully realized my
strongest hopes."

"What speed did you get out of her on the trial trip?"

"Eighteen knots; but her machinery was new then. The order of Captain
Passford included the requirement that the engine of the vessel should
give her the greatest speed ever produced in a sea-going steamer, and
the Bellevite was built strong enough to bear such an engine. I believe
the company that built it fully met the requirement."

"What do you believe to be her best speed, Mr. Vapoor?"

"I have never had the opportunity to test it, but I believe that she
can make more than twenty knots, possibly twenty-two. You remember
that Captain Passford was in a desperate hurry to get from Messina to
Marseilles a year ago this month, and the Bellevite logged twenty knots
during nearly the whole of the trip," replied the engineer, with a
gentle smile of triumph on his handsome face, for he looked upon the
feat of the engine as he would upon a noble deed of his father.

"You made her shake on that trip, Mr. Vapoor."

"Not very much, sir. All the owner's family, including Miss Florry, were
on board then, and, if any thing had happened, I should have charged
myself with murder. I do not know what the Bellevite could do if the
occasion warranted me in taking any risk."

"I do not wish you to be reckless on the present emergency; but it is
of the utmost importance to save every hour we can, and the success or
failure of the expedition may depend upon a single hour. I will say no
more, though an accident to the engine would be a disaster to the
enterprise. I leave the matter with you, Mr. Vapoor," added the
commander, as he moved off.

"I understand you perfectly, Captain Breaker, and there shall be no
failure in the engine department to meet your wishes," replied the
chief, as he touched his cap and retired to the engine-room.

"I am waiting for you, Breaker," said Captain Passford, who was standing
near the companionway with Christy.

"Excuse me for a few minutes more, for there seems to be a strong
breeze coming up from the north-east, and I want to take a look at
the situation," replied the commander, and he hastened forward.

It had been bright sunshine when the pilot came on board: but suddenly
the wind had veered to an ugly quarter, and had just begun to pipe
up into something like half a gale. Capt