joined the
commander and his father on the rail.

"The Dauphine?" queried Captain Passford.

"That is her name. Captain Pecklar can tell you something about her. He
says she is fitting up for the Confederate navy, but he thinks she has
no guns on board yet."

"It is beginning to blow very fresh," said Captain Breaker, as he took a
look at the sky and the waters of the bay. "My barometer indicates nasty
weather."

"There is too much sea, at any rate, for a steamer with a big hole in
her bow," said Captain Passford.

Christy told all he knew about the Belle, and the owner declared that
he had no desire to see the large number of men on board of her drowned
before his eyes. The gun the disabled steamer had fired was regarded as
another signal of distress, which indicated that the situation was
becoming urgent with her.

"She has hoisted a white flag," added Captain Breaker; and no glass was
needed to disclose the fact that a panic existed on board of her, for
men who could fight bravely for a cause they deemed right might not be
willing to be drowned without being able to lift a finger to save
themselves.

"Come about, Breaker, and run for the disabled steamer," said Captain
Passford, in a decided tone; and the order was instantly obeyed.

The commander sent Christy to the chief engineer to have him increase
the speed of the steamer, at the suggestion of the owner. Paul had not
seen him before, and the two friends hugged each other like a couple of
girls when they came together. But the chief did not lose a moment in
obeying the order brought to him. In a few minutes the Bellevite passed
the Dauphine, and readied the vicinity of the Belle, which was evidently
sinking, for she had settled a good deal in the water.

Four boats were instantly lowered into the water; and Christy was
assigned to the command of one of them, while the first and second
officers and the boatswain went in charge of the others. These boats
were skilfully handled, and they dashed boldly up to the sinking craft.
The soldiers on board of her were more afraid of water than they were of
fire, and the four boats were soon loaded.

"Is that you, Christy?" said one of his passengers.

Christy looked, and saw that the person who addressed him was his uncle
Homer.

"Yes, sir," replied the nephew; but he did not venture to say any thing
more.

"I was not aware that you were taking an active part in this affair till
Major Pierson told me that y