The steamer was the Ville d’Angers. She was evidently a nearly new vessel, of about six hundred tons. Unlike most of the English steamers, she had a pilot-house forward, as in American vessels of this kind. Her cabin was handsomely fitted up, and she appeared to be a first-class steamer in every respect. O’Hara went into the pilot-house, when the work below was completed. Tom Speers followed him, for there was nothing more to be done till the engineer should report that he had steam enough to start her. “This will be a big spree, my boy,” said the captain, as he seated himself by the wheel. “The biggest that ever happened. I am amazed to find myself in it,” replied Tom. “I don’t see how I came to be appointed to the second place on board, when there are so many fellows above me that wanted to take a hand in this business.” “You don’t see it? Then I’ll tell you, my boy,” added the captain with a jolly laugh, as though he enjoyed the situation. “I suppose you helped me into the place.” “Troth, I did, thin! You see, when a fellow like you, rotten with stamps, with millions in prospect, and a letter of credit for thousands in his trousers-pocket, comes along, it is well to get on the right side of him,” continued O’Hara, laughing all the time. “I don’t believe the money had any thing to do with it,” protested Tom. “You are the farthest from a selfish fellow of all the ship’s company; and I won’t believe what you say of yourself.” “Thank you for so much, my lad. But I’ll bet a hackle, if the fellows knew how rich you are, they would say that’s the rayson. When Capt. Wainwright told me beforehand that he should give me the command of the steamer, which he didn’t do till he had talked it over with Mr. Marline, he asked me to tell him who I wanted for officers. Your name was the first I gave him; so don’t forget me when you make your will.” “I certainly will not if I have any thing to leave,” replied Tom. “Steam up!” shouted Alexander through the speaking-tube which connected with the engine-room. “Then we are all ready to go ahead. Have you seen the Tritonia’s lights lately, Tom?” said O’Hara, looking out in the direction from which they had been last seen. “I have not: we have all been so busy that we have not thought of her. She has been standing off and on all night, I suppose.” “There she is, astern of us,” added O’Hara. “We must run down and report the state of things on board to the captain. Call the quartermaster and a seaman to take the wheel, if you please, Tom.” The two hands were called into the pilot-house, and the quartermaster was given the charge of the wheel. The other hand was required to assist him, for the officers had not yet learned how much force was needed to steer the steamer. “Do you know any thing about these jinglers, Burley?” asked the captain, as the quartermaster took the wheel. “Yes, sir: the chief engineer told me all about them,” replied Burley. “Start her, then,” added the captain.