the north almost as
much as she goes ahead. He ought to head her for some point to the
southward of the Bellevite; but the more mistakes he makes, the better
it will be for us."

"I see that he don't seem to be headed anywhere in particular."

"Now, Percy, I am going below to have it out with Spikeley," continued
Christy, taking the revolver from his pocket, while he drew a box of
cartridges from another. "The Bellevite drifts as well as the boat; but
they don't let her go far to the north where the shoal water is, and
they turn the screw enough to keep her pretty nearly in the same
position."

"I am to steer for her, of course," added Percy.

"No: there is something that looks like buildings on the shore, at least
five miles beyond the steamer. Do you see them?"

"I do."

"Run for them; and this course will carry you a considerable distance to
the southward of the boat. I shall be near you all the time; and if you
get bothered, sing out for me, and I will help you out."

"Don't you think I had better go below with you, so as to make a sure
thing with the engineer?"

"I can handle him alone; or, if I find that I cannot, I will call for
you. Now, look out very closely for your steering, and don't let her
wobble any more than you can help."

Christy left the pilot-house, after he had put six cartridges into his
revolver, and restored the weapon to his pocket. He had already made up
his mind as to the manner in which he proposed to dispose of the
engineer. He descended the ladder to the forecastle of the tug; but
before he proceeded to the important task before him, he made a careful
survey of the accommodations of the steamer, though she did not appear
to be different from a score of similar vessels he had visited in making
his studies.

Under the pilot-house was the galley, which was also the mess-room of
the crew when she had any. Forward of this, and under the forward deck,
was the forecastle, to which the inquirer descended. It was fitted up
with bunks, and there was only one entrance to it, by a ladder from a
scuttle in the deck.

The scuttle was the interesting point with him; and he saw that it was
provided with a hasp and staple, so that the entrance could be secured
by a padlock, though that was missing. Getting a piece of wood from the
deck, he made a toggle that would fit the staple, and put the scuttle
in a convenient place. Leaving the forward deck, he went aft, taking
another look at the steam