anion.

"I suppose we are all right now, are we not, Christy?" asked Percy.

"I don't know what will come up next. The Dauphine is still afloat, and
in good condition; and I don't believe she is going to let the Bellevite
off without doing something."

Captain Pecklar was letting off steam also; for he realized that the
battle, so far as the Leopard was concerned, was finished. Christy
steered the tug alongside of the steamer; and when he rang the bell
finally to stop her, after a rope had been heaved on board of her, he
left the engine, with the steam still escaping from the boiler, and the
furnace-door wide open, and went to the pilot-house.

"Hurry up!" shouted Captain Breaker, appearing on the rail of the
Bellevite, at the gangway.

Captain Pecklar looked astern of the tug, and saw that the Dauphine was
rapidly approaching. She had come about, and her captain did not appear
to be satisfied with saving his own vessel from the collision, and
intended to make another movement. But he had gone some distance before
he came about, though he was now rather too near for the comfort of the
Bellevite after she had stopped her screw.

"What shall we do with this tug?" asked Christy, who had some doubts
whether or not he ought to leave the Leopard in condition for further
use by the enemy.

"We have no time to bother with her, and she don't amount to any thing.
Come on board as quick as you can," replied Captain Breaker.

"Go on board, Captain Pecklar," said Christy, pointing to the gangway.
"Come, Percy, your troubles are over for the present."

The captain went up the ladder, followed by Percy, and Christy went
the last; for he felt that he must see his friends through before he
abandoned the Leopard himself. The moment the owner's son showed himself
on the rail, a burst of cheers came from the ship's company, to which he
replied by taking off his cap and bowing.

"I am glad to see you again, Christy," said his father, as he descended
to the deck and found himself in the arms of Captain Passford. "I was
afraid I should have to leave you here, though I did not intend to do
that as long as a plank of the Bellevite remained under me."

Christy found his father a great deal more demonstrative than he had
ever known him to be before, and he fully realized that he had had a
very narrow, and even a wonderful escape since he had been taken by the
enemy.

Captain Breaker did not wait for father and son to finish their
a