ight; if
not, Captain Pecklar will take the wheel."

"I understand the case better now, and I will do just what you tell me,"
protested Percy.

"And without asking any questions?"

"I won't ask a question if the whole thing drops from under me."

Percy steered very well, and Christy had enough to do to watch the
steamer astern and the boat ahead.

CHAPTER XXVI

THE POST OF DUTY AND OF DANGER

The long-boat, with the increased experience of its crew, was doing very
well, and it would soon be within hailing-distance of the Bellevite. But
Major Pierson could hardly help discovering that the Leopard was under
way, though he seemed to give his whole attention to the boat and the
steamer ahead of him.

Christy went aft to ascertain the situation of the steamer from the
north-west, and with the glass he satisfied himself that she was not
exactly a river steamer, such as he had seen on the Alabama; or, if she
was, she had been altered to fit her for duty on the bay.

He could see that she had brass guns on her forward deck, and a
considerable force of soldiers or sailors. But she was a nondescript
craft, and he was unable to make her out accurately, though by this time
she was not more than half a mile distant. No immediate danger was to be
apprehended from her, unless she opened fire with the field-pieces on
her deck. As the Leopard was in the service of the forts, she was not
likely to do this till she knew more of the present situation on board
of her.

Christy had made up a new course for the tug when he saw the change
in the working of the long-boat, and the approaching steamer had an
influence in his calculations. He had directed the new pilot to head her
directly for the Bellevite, only taking care to give the long-boat a
sufficiently wide berth to prevent the soldiers from boarding her, and
with steam it would be an easy thing to keep out of its way.

Christy went below to the engine-room to ascertain the condition of
Captain Pecklar. He found him eating his breakfast, which he took from a
basket he had evidently brought with him from the shore the day before.
He seemed to have an appetite; and, from the food he consumed, the
acting captain did not believe he could be in a desperate situation.

"How do you get on, Captain Pecklar?" asked Christy, as he glanced at
the engine, and judged that it was moving more rapidly than at any time
before.

"I am a good deal better, Christy: in fact, the thoug