re of
the power, though Percy began to make himself very indignant over the
stoppage of the engine.

CHAPTER XXIII

THE EXPEDITION FROM THE LEOPARD

"What is the matter now?" demanded Percy Pierson, when the tug ceased to
shake under the pressure of the engine, and began to roll rather smartly
in the sea, though it was not heavy enough to be at all dangerous.

"It appears that the engine has stopped," replied Christy quietly.

"What has it stopped for?" asked the other.

"You will have to put that conundrum to your brother; but doubtless the
needs of the Confederate States require that it should stop."

"Which is the bell, Christy?" inquired Percy, looking at the pulls on
the frame of the wheel.

"The large one is the gong bell, the other is the speed bell, and the
latter is a jingler."

"Well, which one do you ring to start her?"

"One pull at the gong bell to stop or to start her," replied Christy,
who was rather anxious to have his companion learn the secrets of the
pilot-house.

"One bell to stop or start her," repeated Percy.

"Two bells to back her," added the acting captain.

"Two bells to back her. I can remember all that without writing it down.
But what is the other pull for. There don't seem to be any need of any
more bells."

"I think there is; at least, it saves striking too many strokes on the
gong when there is an emergency. The other is the speed bell."

"What is that for, to make her go faster?"

"Yes, or slower. If you start the engine, the engineer will run it
slowly at first, and continue to do so till he gets the speed bell,
or jingler, which he can never mistake for the gong."

"I see; and that is a good scheme."

"If you are approaching a wharf or another vessel, or if a fog come
up, you ring the jingler, if the boat is going at full speed, and the
engineer slows her down. If there is any danger, and you wish to stop
her as quick as you can, you ring one bell on the gong, which stops the
engine, and then two bells on the same, which reverses the engine. Now
let me see if you know all about it; for your brother may want you to
steer the Leopard, and become her captain, after he has tied my hands
behind me again."

"If he does that, I will cut you loose, Christy."

"Thank you, Percy. I don't know what he will do, but it seems to me that
he is going to do something;" and Christy proceeded to examine his pupil
in the use of the bell-pulls.

Percy made some mistakes,