Christy. "Our first duty will be to search for the Arran, and we can use
the Ocklockonee, which the captain says is her present name, to assist
in the chase, for we have force enough to man both vessels, though we
are not oversupplied with officers."

"There are two more quartermasters who are nearly as good men as
Baskirk," replied the first lieutenant.

"I ask no better officer than Baskirk has proved himself to be. I shall
retain him on board of the Bronx, and for the present I shall ask you to
take command of the Ocklockonee; and you may select your own officers.
The probability is that, if we find the Arran, we shall have a fight
with her."

"Then I shall make McSpindle my first lieutenant, and Luffard my
second," added Flint, evidently pleased with the idea of having even
a temporary command.

"I shall appoint Baskirk in your place on board of the Bronx; but I need
one more."

"I recommend Amblen, though he is not as well qualified as the others I
have named."

"Send for these men at once," added the captain.

One of them was on the topsail yard of the Bronx, but all of them soon
appeared in the waist of the prize. They were informed of the honor
which had been conferred upon them, and were immediately assigned to
duty. The crew of the Ocklockonee were divided between the two steamers,
and were put under guard below.

CHAPTER XVI

CAPTAIN PASSFORD'S FINAL ORDERS

A tolerable state of order and regularity had been brought out of the
confusion that prevailed on board of the Ocklockonee, and the newly
appointed officers went to the stations where they belonged. Sampson
reported the engine of the steamer as in good order, and ready for
service.

"Who is the chief engineer of the Ocklockonee, Mr. Sampson?" asked
Captain Passford, after he had listened to the report.

"His name is Bockburn; he is a Scotchman, and appears to be a very good
fellow," replied the engineer of the Bronx.

"Does he talk at all about what has just happened on board of his
steamer?" asked the captain, deeply interested, for he had some
difficulty in arranging the engineer's department on board of the
prize, as he considered the new order of things.

"Yes, sir; he talks at the rate of twenty knots an hour, and if his
steamer can get ahead as well as his tongue, she is a fast one," replied
Sampson, laughing.

"Well, what does he say? I want to know how he stands affected by the
present condition of affairs," continued