"But there is a third lieutenant who may deserve promotion," suggested Christy. "Captain Breaker is dissatisfied with him, and he will get him out of the ship, at any rate, as soon as the opportunity presents itself. I advise you to write to your father, and tell him plainly just how you feel," said Paul. "I am not sure that Captain Breaker would be willing to receive me as his second lieutenant," Christy objected. "I am sure he would," protested Paul. "I don't want him to take me simply because my father desires him to do so," answered the young commander, shaking his head. "Then let your father give him the choice of two or three officers. That will settle the matter." "I don't know, Paul; I will think of the matter, and write to you as soon as I have time. There comes the boat. Mr. Flint, have the prisoner brought on deck to be transferred to the Bellevite." In a few minutes the two stout sailors who had removed him from the captain's cabin appeared on deck, dragging Captain Flanger after them, for he would not walk, and did all he could with his hands made fast behind him to embarrass his conductors. "Captain Passford, I protest agailst this treatment of a prisoler of war," howled the privateersman. "All right, Captain Flanger." "I say I am abused, and dragged from below like a dog." "If you stand up and walk like a man, the dog will not be dragged." "Boat alongside, sir," reported a quartermaster. "Put him into the boat," added Christy. The prisoner was certainly a hideous-looking object, his face daubed with blood, and his nose a mass of tangled flesh; but he was put into the boat in spite of his struggles. Paul Vapoor bade his friend an affectionate adieu, and went over the side. The Bronx started her screw at once. CHAPTER XXVII THE PLANNING OF AN EXPEDITION The Bronx continued on her course indicated in the verbal order of the flag-officer. Christy felt that he had had a narrow escape from death, or at least a severe wound, at the hands of the desperado who had invaded his cabin. Flanger had escaped, after he had been put on board of the flag-ship, with the assistance of Galvinne; and he appeared not to have taken the trouble to render the same service to his confederate. The ships' companies of the two steamers were inclined to converse, giving and receiving the news; and doubtless the prisoner had taken advantage of the confusion to slip on board of the Bronx and secrete himself. His scheme, which must have been devised after he obtained admission to the cabin, was born of nothing less than madness, and could hardly have succeeded under any circumstances, though it might have ended in killing or disabling the commander. Christy felt that a kind Providence had saved him, and he rendered devout thanks for the merciful interposition, as it seemed to him.