er in the north-west; but he could hardly see
her with the naked eye, and he thought she must be at least five miles
off.

"Where is your bunk, Mr. Spikeley?" asked Christy, as he went to the
door of the engine-room.

"What's that to you, youngster?" demanded the engineer; and possibly it
did not comport with his dignity to be bossed by a boy.

"It is rather important for me to know just now," replied Christy,
looking as savage as it was possible for a good-natured boy to look.

"What do you want to know for?" asked Spikeley.

"I happen to be in command of this tug for the present moment, and I
want an answer without stopping all day to talk about it."

"Well, youngster, I don't reckon I'll tell you any thing about it. I get
my orders from Major Pierson," replied the engineer sourly.

"The Leopard is in my charge, and I must ask you to show me where your
bunk is; and after you have done that, I shall ask you to get into it,
and stay there," said Christy, with decision enough for the needs of the
occasion.

At the same time he took the revolver from his pocket, and pointed it
towards the head of the engineer.

"You can take your choice, Mr. Spikeley: you can get into your bunk, or
have your carcass thrown into the bay; and you haven't got a great while
to think of it."

The engineer seemed to be properly impressed by the sight of the weapon,
and he could see that the chambers contained cartridges. He rose from
his seat, and moved towards the door of the engine-room.

"I heard some of the men say you was a Yank, and I reckon you be," said
Spikeley. "What are you go'n to do?"

"I am going to get you into your bunk, where you will be more
comfortable than you are here. Move on!"

The man obeyed; for he was unarmed, and he did not like the looks of the
revolver. Without another word, he moved forward, and descended to the
forecastle. As soon as he was below the deck, Christy closed the
scuttle, and secured it with the toggle.

CHAPTER XXV

THE FIRST LESSON FOR A SAILOR

As the engineer was a cripple, Christy Passford had not expected to have
any difficulty in bringing him to terms; and the result justified his
calculations. The Leopard was now practically in his possession, for
Captain Pecklar was the only person on board, except Percy, who could
give him any trouble; and he was too feeble to do any thing.

Percy seemed to be very busy in the pilot-house, going through imaginary
evolutions at th