, or even to point a
revolver at his head."

"If Spikeley don't start the engine, I reckon it will not start itself,"
suggested Percy.

"I don't believe it will."

"What are you going to do, then?"

"I am going to start it myself."

"Start it yourself! You will blow the whole thing up!" exclaimed Percy,
who did not see how the same young fellow of sixteen could know how to
steer, and run the engine.

"I have been on board the Bellevite a great deal of the time for the
last three years, and my mother says I was born a sailor, as my father
was before me. I always took a deep interest in every thing connected
with the steamer."

"I should think you might, on board of such a fine vessel as the
Bellevite."

"I have stood my trick at the wheel for weeks together; and the
quartermasters taught me all they knew about steering, the compass,
the log, the lead, and the signals."

"Those things have nothing to do with the engine," suggested Percy.

"That is very true; but, when I had learned enough in the pilot-house,
I went down into the engine and fire rooms. Mr. Vapoor, the chief
engineer, and I were in the same school together; and, though he is six
years older than I am, we have been cronies for four years."

"And he told you about the engine?"

"I made a regular study of the engine, in connection with physics, and
Paul"--

"Paul? That's another fellow?"

"No: it's the same fellow,--Paul Vapoor. Everybody that knows him says
he is a genius. He was my teacher. But he told me that all the theory in
the world would not make me an engineer: I must have the experience; and
for weeks together I took the place of one of the assistant engineers.
That's how I happen to know something about an engine; and I have been
on board of all sorts of steamers with Paul, for the purpose of studying
the engines, from a launch up to the biggest ocean-steamers."

"Did you take any lessons of the cook on board of the Bellevite,
Christy?" asked Percy, laughing.

"I used to ask questions of him; but I have served as cook on board of a
small yacht, and I know how to get up a chowder or bake a pot of beans."

"All right; then I will take it for granted that you can start the
engine of the Leopard," continued Percy, coming back to the topic which
interested him most. "What are you going to do after you have started
the engine?"

"I am going to get on board of the Bellevite, and get you on board of
her."

"That will suit me first