The lieutenant, acting as the servant of the French detective at St. George's in the Bermudas, had seen Captain Rombold, and had heard him converse for an hour with Mr. Gilfleur, when he was in command of the Dornoch, which had been captured by the Chateaugay, on board of which Christy was a passenger. He was known to be a very able and brave officer, and his defeat was owing more to the heavier metal of the loyal ship than to any lack of skill or courage on the part of the Confederate commander. The last the young officer knew about him, he was a prisoner of war in New York, and had doubtless been exchanged for some loyal officer of equal rank, for the enemy had plenty of them on hand. "Man the windlass, my lads," said Christy in a quiet tone, though he was still thinking of the commander of the steamer which was to tow out the schooner. While he was waiting for the three short whistles, Graines came forward and reported in what manner he had secured the captain, and that the two men on the cotton bales were still insensible. "You may be sure the captain will not come out of his stateroom until we let him out," added the engineer; and Christy proceeded to explain what had passed between the schooner and the steamer. "The Tallahatchie has one of the ablest commanders that sail the ocean, for I have seen and know him," continued the lieutenant. "It is Captain Rombold, now or formerly, of the British Navy. He is a gentleman and a scholar, as well as a brave and skilful officer." "Then Captain Breaker may have his hands full before he captures the steamer," added the engineer. "He certainly will; but a great deal depends upon the weight of the Tallahatchie's metal." "We shall soon have a chance to judge of that." "I should like to know something more about this steamer, though my father's letter gives us the principal details; but we have no time now to examine her," continued Christy. "Who's that?" demanded Graines, as he saw a man walking forward over the bales of cotton. It proved to be Bokes, who had slept off a part of the effects of the debauch; but Sopsy had probably consumed a large portion of the contents of his bottle. "Does you uns happen to have any more apple-jack?" asked the fellow. "Somehow I lost nigh all o' mine, and I'm sufferin', dyin' for a drink." "French, take him to the deck-house, and fasten him in," said Christy in a low tone. "Come with me, my hearty, and we'll see what there is in the deck-house," said the seaman, as he took the man by the arm and led him to the place indicated. "Now go in and find your bunk. Get into it, and I will look for a bottle here." [Illustration: "Dowse that glim in your fo'castle!" Page 111.]