rate," replied Percy. "But I don't want you to
think I am a Yankee, for I am not."

"But I want you to think I am a Yankee, as you call it; and I am one,"
added Christy.

"After we get on board of the Bellevite, what do you suppose she will
do?"

"That is more than I can tell you; but I have no doubt my father will
try to get out of the bay, and then he will go to New York. It is about
time to make a beginning, for the boat will not trouble us now," replied
Christy, as he took a look all around the tug.

"What am I to do?"

"I haven't told you all I know about steering the boat for nothing,
Percy, and you will remain at the wheel. But I wonder what that is over
in the north-west," added Christy, as he took the glass from the shelf,
and pointed it out the after window of the pilot-house.

"I think I can steer her all right now. What do you see over there?"

"I believe there is a steamer coming down from that direction," replied
Christy anxiously, as he brought the glass to bear on the object in
sight.

"A steamer!" exclaimed Percy. "That will mix things with us."

"Perhaps it will. It is a steamer, but it looks like a river boat, at
any rate, it is not a tug. She is headed this way."

Christy was a good deal disturbed by the discovery he made; and giving
no further attention to his companion, he continued to study the
approaching craft, at the same time endeavoring to account for her
appearance. His uncle Homer had gone to find some one who was to render
assistance in preventing the Bellevite from leaving the bay, and
becoming a part of the navy of the Union.

He had not succeeded in finding the person he sought, but he had had
abundance of time to go to Mobile; and Christy feared that this steamer
coming down from the north-west might be intended for the capture of the
Bellevite, in which case she must be armed and provided with an ample
force for the purpose.

"That is not a tug-boat: she is a river or a bay steamer, and I am
afraid she is faster than this thing," said Christy, when he had
obtained all the information he could at the present time. "At any rate,
we have no time to spare. Do you think you can steer the Leopard,
Percy?"

"I know I can," replied he confidently.

"The boat with the major in it is losing a good deal by lee-way, for he
seems to be making no allowance for it."

"What does that mean?" asked Percy, puzzled by the statement.

"She has the wind on her beam, and she drifts to