Christy lost no time in making his way to the main deck of the vessel; but he was careful to avoid the visitors. He went back to the cabin, and went on deck from it. Then he discovered that the trio were in the act of descending the accommodation steps. Mounting the rail he saw them embark in the Florence, and sail down the river. Dismounting from the rail, he hastened to the engine-room, where he found Sampson getting the engine ready to be put in motion. "Ah, Christy, I thought you had gone," said the oiler. "Who were those two men who were on board?" asked Christy, not a little excited. "They were two gentlemen you brought on board, Christy," replied Sampson, innocently enough. "That I brought on board!" exclaimed the skipper of the Florence. "Yes, sir: and I thought you had gone ashore with them," added the oiler. "I brought no men on board, Sampson! What are you talking about?" demanded Christy impatiently. "Didn't you bring two gentlemen on board, and didn't one of them want to measure the carriage of the big gun?" "No! I did not! I have not seen you before now this evening," protested Christy. "Then I have lost my senses. Didn't you tell me to get up steam, because the steamer would be moved to the navy yard before daylight in the morning?" demanded Sampson, bewildered by the denial of the young man. "I see now," added Christy. "You mistook Corny for me." Sampson gave him all the details of the visit of the strangers. CHAPTER VII MIDSHIPMAN CHRISTY PASSFORD "In a word, Sampson, an attempt will be made to-night to capture the Bellevite, and you have been getting up steam for the conspirators," said Christy, when the ship-keeper had finished his narrative of the visit of the trio to the ship. "Is that so?" exclaimed Sampson, opening his mouth and his eyes very wide at the same time. "Why, I had no more doubt that the young man who was talking to me was Christy than I have that he is talking to me now." "You had better look at me again, and be sure that you make no mistake," replied Christy, rather disgusted at the failure of the man to identify him. "I never once thought that it was not you. When the sailboat came alongside, I knew it was the Florence, and I supposed you were in her," pleaded Sampson. "But I spoke to you, as I supposed, when the boat came alongside." "Did you? What did you say?" asked Christy. "I said 'Is that you, Christy?' And you said 'Yes.'" "Of course I did! What else could I say after you had told the enemy just how to proceed. You could not have expected any other answer." "I suppose I was very stupid; but I hope no harm has been done, for they have not got the steamer yet," added Sampson, very much disconcerted at the blunder he had made, though an older officer than Christy might have had more charity for the ship-keeper.