ain Breaker went to the
pilot-house, looked at the barometer, and then directed Mr. Dashington
to crowd on all sail, for he intended to drive the vessel to her utmost
capacity.

The Bellevite was rigged as a barkantine; that is, she was square-rigged
on her foremast, like a ship, while her main and mizzen masts carried
only fore-and-aft sails, including gaff-topsails. The shrill pipe of the
boatswain immediately sounded through the vessel, and twenty-four able
seamen dashed to their stations. In a few minutes, every rag of canvas
which the steamer could carry was set. But the commander did not wait
for this to be done, but hastened to join the owner.

"I suppose you don't want me, sir," said Christy, as his father led the
way into the cabin.

"On the contrary, I do want you, Christy," replied Captain Passford, as
he halted, and the commander passed him on his way to the cabin. "I wish
you to understand as well as I do myself what we are going to do."

"I shall be very glad to know more about it," added Christy, pleased
with the confidence his father reposed in him in connection with the
serious undertaking before him.

"In the work I have to do, you stand nearer to me than any other person
on board," continued Captain Passford. "I know what you are, and you are
older than your sixteen years make you. It was at your age that Charles
XII. took command of the armies of Sweden, and he was more than a
figure-head in his forces."

"Sometimes I feel older than I am," suggested the boy.

"I believe in keeping a boy young as long as possible, and I have never
hurried you by putting you in an important place, though at one time I
thought of having a third officer, and assigning you to the position,
for the practice it would give you in real life; but I concluded that
you had better not be driven forward."

"I think I know something about handling a steamer, father."

"I know you do; though I have never told you so, for I did not care to
have you think too much of yourself. Now, in common with all the rest of
us, you are hurled into the presence of mighty events; and in a single
day from a boy you must become a man. You are my nearest representative
on board; and if any thing should happen to me, in the midst of the
perils of this expedition, a responsibility would fall upon you which
you cannot understand now. I wish to prepare you for it," said Captain
Passford, as he went down into the cabin.

The commander was alre