ht of getting out
of this country is almost enough to cure me; for I have come to the
conclusion that I had rather die at home than live here," replied the
captain, as he put an enormous piece of beef into his mouth, which his
companion thought would be almost enough for his breakfast.

"I am glad you are better. How does the engine work?" asked Christy.

"I have been stirring it up, and I just filled up the furnaces. I think
she is doing her best, though that is not saying a great deal. But,
Christy, have you tried to get a look over beyond the Bellevite?"

"No, I haven't seen any thing in that direction," replied Christy,
a little startled by the question.

"I believe there is another steamer over there; and, if there is, it
must be the Dauphine."

"What of her?" asked Christy anxiously.

"She is a steam-yacht of four hundred tons, and the fastest steamer in
these waters. They have been fitting her up for the war, though I don't
know whether she is to be a man-of-war or a blockade-runner."

"What makes you think it is she?"

"Because she has been over to the town you may have seen in that
direction. She is behind the Bellevite, so that you can hardly see her."

"I am inclined to think the Bellevite can take care of herself," replied
Christy.

"Why, the Bellevite cannot do any thing but run away; and Major Pierson
says she will never do that till you have been taken on board of her.
I heard him and Lieutenant Dallberg talk it all over near the door of
my room."

"Perhaps the Bellevite can do something more than run away," added
Christy with a smile.

"What do you mean, my friend?" asked the captain, suspending the
operation of his jaws, he was so interested in the answer to his
question. "The major said distinctly that she was a gentleman's
pleasure-yacht, and that she was not armed."

"The major has a right to his opinion, and I shall not argue the point
against him. My father came into the bay on a peaceful errand, and he
had no intention to be aggressive."

"All right, Christy; I can see through plain glass even when there
isn't a hole in it," said Captain Pecklar, laughing; for he seemed to
be entirely satisfied with the situation, in spite of the fact that two
hostile steamers appeared to menace the Bellevite, which he hoped would
bear him to his home.

"Now, what do you know of the steamer astern of us?" asked Christy.

"That must be the Belle. She is no match for an armed steamer, but she
ma