But the skipper had not intended to give him a flogging while the cutter was so near the yacht, lest the cries of the victim should be heard on board of her. His only purpose had been to catch Wade, and lock him up in the forecastle or some other place on board, so that he could not have a talk with the son of the bank-president. If Lon Trustleton ascertained that the “Moonlight” had been used to convey the defaulter on board of a ship, the fact might come to the knowledge of his owner; and he knew what would follow. His place was his bread and butter, as much as that of the cook or steward; and it was not easy to obtain such positions as he held. If Capt. Bendig had supposed that Wade Brooks had pluck enough to jump overboard, he would have handled him more carefully. The stowaway soon proved himself to be a good swimmer; for he struck out from the yacht, which sailed away and left him astern of her. But, as soon as the captain realized the situation, he ordered the yacht to be hove to. “Hard down the helm!” he shouted to the man at the wheel. But he had hardly given the order before he saw, that, if it was obeyed, the “Moonlight” would run into the cutter, which was now just abreast of her. The steamer had “slowed down” some time before. She immediately stopped her screw, and then backed till she came to a full stop. Half a dozen of her uniformed seamen were already in one of her quarter-boats, ready to drop it into the water; but this was unnecessary, for Wade had swam towards the cutter, and as soon as she stopped he was alongside of her. He saw the accommodation ladder at her quarter, and he made for that. A stout quarter-master was at the foot of the ladder with a rope in his hand; and with his assistance Wade soon climbed to the deck of the cutter. The officer of the deck asked him no questions, but directed one of the stewards to take him below, and fit him out with dry clothes, and then bring him on deck again. By this time the “Moonlight” had come about, and was lying to a short distance from the cutter. The men in the quarter-boat were ordered to lower away; and an officer was sent in it to the yacht, which was evidently suspected of doing something out of the way. Capt. Bendig received the officer in the most courteous manner. “Will you explain your object in communicating with that ship?” said the officer, opening the subject of his visit. “Certainly: her captain is an old friend of mine; and, as we were both becalmed, he paid me a friendly visit,” replied Capt. Bendig. “Did you come out here for the purpose of receiving this friendly visit?” continued the officer.