which were carefully corrected; and, as he did
so, the captain wrote down the directions in full, placing the paper on
the shelf with the chart.

The student of bell-pulls signalized the completion of his examination
by giving one pull at the gong; but it produced no effect at all upon
the engine or the engineer, and the Leopard, having fallen off into the
trough of the sea, had begun to roll more violently than at first.

"What is the matter with that engineer?" pouted Percy, who did not feel
flattered that his first experience with the bell-pulls produced no
effect, though he had distinctly heard the sound of the gong.

"They haven't sent any word up to the pilot house that the engine is
disabled, and we shall have to apply to Major Pierson for further
information."

"That engineer must have gone to sleep!" exclaimed Percy, whose vexation
was in proportion to his zeal.

He rang the gong again; but Christy understood why the screw did not
turn, though he deemed it wise to keep his own counsel for the present.
Percy was rousing himself to a passion at the neglect of the engineer to
heed his bell.

"Keep cool, Percy," interposed Christy. "Don't say a word to your
brother that you have learned to steer a steamer; and you may have a
chance to surprise him, and show that you are a good deal more of a
fellow than he takes you to be."

"I don't believe he will get such a chance if he don't have it now.
I wonder what he is up to," added Percy, restraining his impatience.

"We can only wait till his plans come out," added Christy. "But I will
go to the side of the hurricane deck, and tell him that the engine does
not respond to the bells."

"I should think he might see that for himself," said Percy.

"Don't you say a word, and don't you show yourself to any one. Sit down
on that stool, and keep quiet."

"I will do just what you tell me, Christy, for I believe you will be
able to get me out of this scrape," replied Percy, as he seated himself,
and began to read over the instructions relating to the bells.

In fact, he was so interested in the new occupation he had taken up,
that he soon forgot all about his brother, and the trouble that lay in
his path. He read the paper, and applied his fingers to the pulls in a
great many different ways, supposing all the various situations of the
boat which Christy had suggested.

Christy went to the side of the upper deck, and saw that the soldiers
had hauled in the boat tha