"She is going to get out of Mobile Bay, and she is going to do it just as soon as she can. Now, the question is, where is she going then?" "You will have to put that question to my father, Percy," said Christy. "He can tell you what he is going to do a great deal better than I can." "He is not within ear-shot of me just now: if he were, I would ask him without stopping to soap my tongue." "You may see him before long. I don't know what your brother is about just now; and, for aught I know, he may intend to capture the Bellevite." "I reckon he will have a good time doing it, if your father and Captain Breaker haven't a mind to let him do it." "They will not wish to fight, even for their steamer, here in Mobile Bay. I know that my father intended to keep the peace. Besides, your brother may think there are few men on board of the vessel." "I want to get on board of the Bellevite anyhow!" exclaimed Percy, bluntly coming to the point at which he had been aiming for some time. "I shall not do any thing to prevent you from doing so," added Christy. "I don't say that I want to go into the Yankee navy, or that I will lift a finger against my country, mind you." He seemed to be equally unwilling to lift a finger for it. "I don't ask you to do any thing against your conscience, Percy." "If the Bellevite gets out of the bay with you and me on board, I believe I can find some way to get back to Nassau. That is what I am driving at." "I can't say that the steamer will not go there," added Christy, who did not mean to commit himself. Suddenly, without any bell from the pilot-house, the engine of the Leopard stopped; but Christy was not at all surprised at the failure of the power, though Percy began to make himself very indignant over the stoppage of the engine. CHAPTER XXIII THE EXPEDITION FROM THE LEOPARD "What is the matter now?" demanded Percy Pierson, when the tug ceased to shake under the pressure of the engine, and began to roll rather smartly in the sea, though it was not heavy enough to be at all dangerous. "It appears that the engine has stopped," replied Christy quietly. "What has it stopped for?" asked the other. "You will have to put that conundrum to your brother; but doubtless the needs of the Confederate States require that it should stop." "Which is the bell, Christy?" inquired Percy, looking at the pulls on the frame of the wheel. "The large one is the gong bell, the other is the speed bell, and the latter is a jingler." "Well, which one do you ring to start her?" "One pull at the gong bell to stop or to start her," replied Christy, who was rather anxious to have his companion learn the secrets of the pilot-house. "One bell to stop or start her," repeated Percy. "Two bells to back her," added the acting captain. "Two bells to back her. I can remember all that without writing it down. But what is the other pull for. There don't seem to be any need of any more bells."