"Some o' these men'll jine too, I reckon," suggested Christy, who had proceeded in this manner in order to attract the attention of the disconsolate master of the West Wind. "I don't reckon they can ship, 'cause most on 'em belongs to the Tallahatchie, and they can't leave." "That's so," shouted several of the group, including some of the crew of the Bellevite. "What's the Talla-what-you-call-her?" demanded Christy. "She's the steamer you can see when the fog lifts," answered Captain Sullendine. "The Tallahatchie is her name. Are you a sailor, my lively lad?" "I reckon I know the bobstay from the mainmast." "You know sumthin about my mate and men, my jolly tar, and I'll give you five dollars apiece for any news on 'em that will help me to ketch 'em; and I'll ship you into the bargain, for I want more hands," the captain proceeded in a more business-like manner, though at the expense of his oratory. Just at this moment three short and sharp whistles sounded from off the shore, and about half of the skipper's audience turned upon their heels and walked down to the water, where they embarked in a boat. They were evidently members of the ship's company of the Tallahatchie, on shore on leave, and the whistles were the signal for their return. The remainder of the group, with two or three exceptions, were the seamen of the blockader. "Where'd you come from, my hearty?" demanded the captain of the schooner, turning to Christy again. "I was tooken in a blockader, eight on us. We done stole a whaleboat and comed ashore," replied Christy, enlarging upon the story he had told the bivouackers. "Eight on you!" exclaimed the master of the schooner. "Where's the rest on ye?" "They're all about here somewhar, and I reckon I kin find em. They're lookin for sunthin t'eat. They all want to ship, and the mate of the Rattler's one on 'em," continued Christy, guiding himself by the circumstances as they were developed to him. "What's your name, my man?" "My name's Jerry Sandman; and I ain't ashamed on't." "Are your men all sailors, Jerry?" "Every one on 'em." "I want eight good men, Jerry, the mate bein' one on 'em." "Then we kin fix you like a 'possum in a hole." "I've got two boats on the shore; the deserters stole one on 'em, and I come ashore in t'other arter 'em. I reckon I'll get a steamer in Nassau, and I want all the good men I can find to man her. I'll ship the whole on you. Find your men, Jerry, and fetch 'em down to the boats. I'll give 'em all sumthin t'eat. Now be lively about it," said Captain Sullendine, as he walked away towards the shore. "I'll find 'em in no time," replied Christy, as he removed his soft hat with his left hand, and scratched his head with the other. The rest of the party scattered, and Graines joined the lieutenant. CHAPTER VII A POWERFUL ALLY OF THE BELLEVITERS