"I hope so," replied Christy, who did not like the idea of fighting or trying to run away from a craft three times as strong as the Bronx. "Have the ensign set at the peak, Mr. Flint." And a quartermaster was sent aft to attend to this duty. The strange sail continued to approach; and, little by little, the first lieutenant, who had sailed in the Bellevite several years, identified her as that steamer. It was probable that she had chased some vessel, and was now returning to her station. As she came nearer, she fired a gun for the Bronx to come to; and when within hail of her, stopped her screw. "Steamer, ahoy!" came from her in the well-known voice of Mr. Blowitt, formerly the commander of the Bronx, and now executive officer of the Bellevite. "On board the steamer!" replied Mr. Flint from the bridge. "What steamer is that?" called Mr. Blowitt. "The United States steamer Bronx, under sealed orders. What steamer is that?" "The United States steamer Bellevite. We will send a boat to you," returned Mr. Blowitt. The big steamer, as she certainly was compared with the Bronx, started her screw again, and came within less than half a cable's length of the little gunboat, for the water was very still, with a gentle breeze from the westward. The boat was dropped into the water; and in a minute or two it was at the accommodation ladder of the Bronx, when a couple of officers mounted the side. "I am glad to see you, Captain Passford," said Mr. Blowitt, who was properly received when he stepped down upon the deck. "I am just as glad to see you, Mr. Blowitt," replied Christy, taking the offered hand of his old friend. "Mr. Vapoor, chief engineer of the Bellevite," said the executive officer, presenting Christy's greatest crony on earth, for he had held back in deference to his superior officer. "The happiest moment I have had since I saw you last!" exclaimed the engineer, as he grasped the commander of the Bronx with his right hand, while he threw his left around the neck of his friend, and would have hugged him if Christy had not gently avoided such a "gush" in presence of the watch on deck. "I wish you were back in the Bellevite, Christy." "I wish I were myself," replied the commander, in a tone so low that none but the visitors could hear him. "No, you don't," interposed Mr. Blowitt. "You are commanding a little gunboat, though you are only eighteen." "I thought I should like it, but I find I do not as well as I expected," answered Christy. "You don't like it!" exclaimed the engineer of the Bellevite. "I do not, Paul; I think it wears upon me, though I am willing to do my duty wherever I am ordered." "If you wish to get back into the Bellevite, of course you can do so, for it is not every fellow that wears shoulder-straps who has such a backing as you have. You have only to speak, and anything reasonable is yours. But how are all at home, Christy?"