of the time, and
both the Belle and the Dauphine are nearer to us than she is," added
Captain Pecklar. "I have been trying to get up more steam."

"If my father only knew that I was on board this tug, I should feel more
hope," said Christy.

"Perhaps he suspects you are. He probably sent ashore to obtain
information in regard to you. But we don't know."

Just then a cannon-ball made the splinters fly all around them.

[Illustration: "I have hit Her" (Page 315)]

CHAPTER XXVIII

THE AMERICAN FLAG AT THE FORE

Christy rushed out of the engine-room followed by Captain Pecklar, to
ascertain what damage had been done to the tug by the shot. A cloud of
smoke rising from the Belle, astern of the Leopard, informed them that
the shot had come from her. It had struck the house on deck, carrying
away the corner of the captain's state-room; but, beyond this, no damage
appeared to be done.

But the tug had broached to, and it was evident that Percy had abandoned
the wheel when the shot struck the vessel; and Christy hastened to the
pilot-house to restore the vessel to her course. But he was closely
followed by the acting engineer. They found the volunteer pilot lying on
the deck, where he had been before when the vessel was fired upon.

"Is that the way you steer the boat, Percy?" said Christy reproachfully,
as he went into the pilot-house, and righted the helm.

"Didn't you hear that cannon-shot that struck her just now?" demanded
Percy, partly raising himself from his recumbent posture.

"Of course I heard it: I am not deaf; and, if I had been, I could have
felt it. I don't believe we shall want you on board of the Bellevite, if
that is the way you do your duty."

"I don't want to be shot by my own people," pleaded Percy. "Has the shot
ruined the vessel?"

"Don't you see that she is going along the same as ever? No harm has
been done to her so far as any further use to us is concerned," replied
Christy. "But, Captain Pecklar, as things are now, we are running right
into the fire."

Christy was more troubled than he had been at any time before; and he
realized that it was necessary to make some change in the course of the
Leopard, though she had the enemy on each side of her.

"It don't look as well as it might," added the captain gloomily.

"The Dauphine is getting altogether too near us, and we are making the
distance between us less every minute," added Christy.

"There comes another shot from the