"Percy Pierson takes a great deal of interest in his new occupation, and I think it will be best to let him occupy his mind in that way. He steered the tug for some time, while I was ascertaining what was going on in this part of the boat." "Just as you think best, Mr. Passford." "Call me Christy, for that will sound more natural to me." "As you please, Christy. I am competent to run an engine, and did it once for a couple of years, though the business does not agree with me." "Very well, Captain Pecklar; then you shall run the engine, and I will keep the run of what is going on around us," said Christy, as he walked towards the stern of the tug. "There is a new danger off in the north-west." "What's that?" asked the captain. "There is another steamer coming in this direction, and I suppose she hails from Mobile. There she is." Christy was somewhat disturbed to find that the approaching steamer was overhauling the tug very rapidly. It looked as though she would prove to be a more important factor in the immediate future than he had supposed. If he could only get on board of the Bellevite, he was sure that she could run away from any thing that floated. But there was not another moment to be lost, and he hastened on deck to have the Leopard started. He found Percy still engaged with his problems in steering, going through all the forms as though the boat were actually under way. "Now you may do it in earnest, Percy," said he. "We are all ready to go ahead. Strike your gong." "It will be no use to strike it while you are up here," replied the pilot, looking at Christy with interest. "We have not a second to spare; strike your gong, and we will talk about it afterwards," continued Christy impatiently. "But I am not a fool, Christy, and I don't"-- "But I do!" interposed the acting captain sharply, as he reached over and pulled the bell. "I don't like to have a fellow fool with me when I am in earnest. What good will it do to ring the bell while you are in the pilot-house, Christy?" But before the captain could answer the question, if he intended to do so, the boat began to shake under the pressure of the engine, and the tug moved ahead at half speed. Percy was so much astonished that he could hardly throw over the wheel, and Christy took hold of it himself. "I don't understand it," said he, as he took hold of the spokes, and looked ahead to get the course of the boat. "You will never make a sailor till you mend your ways," added Christy. "There must be some one in the engine-room," said Percy. "Of course there is." "Why didn't you say so, then? I did not suppose the boat could go ahead while you were up here." "I told you to ring the gong, didn't I?" "What was the use of ringing it when you were in the pilot-house?" "What was the use of ringing it when I did?" demanded Christy, who had but little patience with this kind of a sailor. "You knew there was some one in the engine-room."