re.

"That's a handsome flag, Christy; and it does me good to see it again,"
said Captain Pecklar, as he took off his hat, and bowed reverently to
it.

"Percy, hard-a-starboard the helm!" shouted Christy to the helmsman.
"Head her for the Belle."

"All right."

"I think we can increase the distance a little between us and the
Dauphine," added Christy.

"That's a good move; for we have been putting ourselves nearer to her
when there was no need of it, as there has not been since the Belle was
disabled."

He had hardly spoken the words before a tremendous cheer came from the
Bellevite, and her fore-rigging appeared to be filled with men. The
cheer was repeated till it had been given at least "three times three."

"What does that mean, Christy?" asked Captain Pecklar.

"It means that my father or some one on board has recognized my flag.
I should have set it before if we had been near enough for them to make
it out. But they have seen it, and I feel sure that all the steamers in
the bay could not capture us now. Look at the Bellevite!"

She seemed suddenly to have taken the bit in her teeth, and she was
rushing forward at a speed which she had not before exhibited. Paul
Vapoor was evidently wide awake.

A little later her port-holes flew open.

CHAPTER XXIX

ON BOARD OF THE BELLEVITE

The crisis was at hand; for the Dauphine was darting in between the
Leopard and the Bellevite, between father and son. On the port rail of
the former, as if ready to leap upon the deck of the tug, were at least
twenty men; and, for the first time, the plan of the enemy became
apparent to Christy Passford.

He hastened to the hurricane deck of the Leopard, where he could see
more clearly; and it was evident to him that the question before them
would be settled within a very few minutes. If he and his companions
fell into the hands of the enemy, nothing less than a severe fight with
the Dauphine, perhaps aided by the Belle, on the part of the Bellevite
could undo the mischief.

Christy was disposed to leave nothing to be undone. Rushing into the
pilot-house, he seized the wheel, and threw it over, determined to
redeem the fate of the tug while he could. Captain Pecklar had crowded
on all the steam he could, and doubtless the boat was doing her very
best. She flew round like a top, careening till her rail was under
water.

"Hard up, Percy!" cried he, while the tug was still whirling. "Those men
will drop on board o