Christy rushed out of the engine-room followed by Captain Pecklar, to ascertain what damage had been done to the tug by the shot. A cloud of smoke rising from the Belle, astern of the Leopard, informed them that the shot had come from her. It had struck the house on deck, carrying away the corner of the captain's state-room; but, beyond this, no damage appeared to be done.
But the tug had broached to, and it was evident that Percy had abandoned the wheel when the shot struck the vessel; and Christy hastened to the pilot-house to restore the vessel to her course. But he was closely followed by the acting engineer. They found the volunteer pilot lying on the deck, where he had been before when the vessel was fired upon.
"Is that the way you steer the boat, Percy?" said Christy reproachfully, as he went into the pilot-house, and righted the helm.
"Didn't you hear that cannon-shot that struck her just now?" demanded Percy, partly raising himself from his recumbent posture.
"Of course I heard it: I am not deaf; and, if I had been, I could have felt it. I don't believe we shall want you on board of the Bellevite, if that is the way you do your duty."
"I don't want to be shot by my own people," pleaded Percy. "Has the shot ruined the vessel?"
"Don't you see that she is going along the same as ever? No harm has been done to her so far as any further use to us is concerned," replied Christy. "But, Captain Pecklar, as things are now, we are running right into the fire."
Christy was more troubled than he had been at any time before; and he realized that it was necessary to make some change in the course of the Leopard, though she had the enemy on each side of her.
"It don't look as well as it might," added the captain gloomily.
"The Dauphine is getting altogether too near us, and we are making the distance between us less every minute," added Christy.
"There comes another shot from the Belle. She means business, and Major Pierson is certainly directing things on board of her. We can't stand that any longer. But she wasted her powder that time, and we must do better than that. What do you intend to do, Christy?"
"I mean to come about, and take a course between the Belle and the Dauphine: that is the most hopeful thing I can thinkof," replied Christy, after another careful survey of the positions of the enemy.
"I think you are right."
"We will come about, then;" and Christy threw over the wheel.
"That will bring our gun where we can use it; and we shall have a better chance at the Belle than she has at us, for she is larger, and has a crowd of men on her main deck," added Captain Pecklar, as he went to the ladder.
"If you are not afraid of those shots, I am not," said Percy, coming into the pilot-house again; and he was evidently ashamed of himselfwhen he saw a fellow younger than himself taking no notice of them.
"I don't pretend to like them, or that I am not afraid of them; but I shall do my duty in spite of them," replied Christy. "I should be ashamed to meet my father, if I ever see him again, if I gave up the fight, and allowed myself to be kept as a prisoner."
"I want to get away from here as much as you do; and I will take the wheel again, if you will let me," continued Percy.
"I don't ask you to expose yourself; but, if you take the helm, you must stick to it till you are relieved. We have no time to fool with you."
"I will stick to it, Christy."
"Very well, then you shall take it; but if you desert your post again, I will shoot you the first time I set eyes on you."
"That is rough."
"If you think it is, don't take the helm."
"I will take it, for I had rather be shot by those in the other steamers than by you."
"I am going below to help Captain Pecklar; but the moment the tug goes wrong, I shallsend a ball from my revolver up into the pilot-house."
"I understand you, and it looks as though we were getting into a hot place. I will do my duty as well as I know how. Now tell me how I am to steer."
"Run for that point you see far off to the northward."
Christy went to the main deck forward, where he found Captain Pecklar getting the field-piece ready for use. The Belle was now quite near on the one hand, while the Dauphine was hardly farther off on the other hand. The Bellevite was coming down from the north-east, with the lead still going in her chains. The immediate danger was to come from the Belle.
"That won't do!" exclaimed Captain Pecklar, when they had the gun in position for use.
"What won't do?" asked Christy.
"Didn't you notice that? They are firing rifle-balls from the Belle. One of them just struck the bulkhead."
"I don't see that we can help ourselves, whether it will do or not."
"The chances are in our favor, however, forthe men cannot handle their rifles to the best advantage while the Belle heaves in the sea," added the captain. "Don't stand up where they can see you, Christy, but get down on the deck with that lock-string in your hand. When I give you the word, pull it as quick as you can," said the captain, as he sighted the gun, and changed its position several times.
He was a sailor, and the artillery officers at the forts had trained the men employed on the tugs in handling the pieces put on board of them, to be used in bringing vessels to. Better than any soldier, he could make the proper allowance for the motion of the steamer in the sea, which was becoming heavier.
"Fire!" shouted he, with more voice than he was supposed to have in the feeble condition of his lungs.
The gunner had loaded the piece himself, and it made a tremendous report when Christy pulled the lock-string. The Leopard shook under the concussion of the discharge, and she was completely enveloped in smoke; so that they could not see whether the Belle had been hit or not. But in the distance they could hear hoarseshouts in the direction of the Belle, and they concluded that something had happened in that quarter.
Christy had brought down the glass with him; and he directed it towards the steamer aimed at as soon as the smoke began to blow out of the way, though it was some time before he could get a clear view of her.
"By the great Constitution!" exclaimed Captain Pecklar, before Christy could cover the Belle with his glass. "I have hit her!"
"Where?" asked the other, elated at the intelligence.
"Right on the bow! There is a hole big enough to roll a wheelbarrow through," replied the captain, greatly excited. "She has stopped her wheels."
"That's a nice hole!" added Christy, as he got the glass to bear on it, and his hopes began to rise again. "It is just about big enough for a small wheelbarrow. But they have gone to work on it, and are putting mattresses over it."
"That craft is finished for to-day, and we needn't worry any more about her," said the captain. "She will not get that hole stoppedup for an hour or longer, and I hope this affair will be over before this can be done. Shall we give them another shot? What do you think, Christy? She holds still now, and I believe I can hit her every time."
"Decidedly not: she is disabled for the present, and that is all I care for. We are not in war trim," replied Christy, as he turned his attention in the direction of the other vessels.
"As I told you, the Dauphine is fast; and she will be down upon us in less than five minutes more," said Captain Pecklar.
"I wonder that she don't fire upon us," added Christy.
"I doubt if she has any guns on board, though she may have a field-piece or two."
"The Bellevite is waking up, I think," said Christy.
"She is getting into deeper water."
"But the Dauphine is coming right between the Leopard and the Bellevite," continued Christy, as he brought the glass to bear upon her, though she was near enough to be distinctly seen with the naked eye. "Whether she had any guns or not, she has plenty of men onboard; and it is easy enough to see what she intends to do."
"What do you think she intends to do?" asked the captain.
"Of course she came out here after the Bellevite, as the Belle did also; but her people have seen what the Leopard has been about for the last hour, and they intend to dispose of us before they hunt for the bigger game."
"She may capture the Bellevite after she has finished her business with us," said the captain, looking very anxious.
"She may, but I don't believe she will. You have proved that you are all right, Captain Pecklar, and I don't mind telling you now that the Bellevite is heavily armed. Captain Breaker was a lieutenant in the navy, and he knows how to handle a ship," replied Christy.
"Then, if we escape the Dauphine, we shall be all right."
"The Dauphine will come down, and throw a few men on board of us; boarding us, in fact, as we have no force with which to help ourselves," added Christy, as he took a small American flag from his pocket.
It had been made by his mother on the late cruise of the steamer, and it was a sort of talisman with him, which he had often displayed in foreign lands. He found a pole on the deck, to which he attached the emblem of his whole country, and displayed it at the bow of the tug. He hoped that his father or the captain might see it, and recognize it as the one he had so often seen on board and ashore.
"That's a handsome flag, Christy; and it does me good to see it again," said Captain Pecklar, as he took off his hat, and bowed reverently to it.
"Percy, hard-a-starboard the helm!" shouted Christy to the helmsman. "Head her for the Belle."
"All right."
"I think we can increase the distance a little between us and the Dauphine," added Christy.
"That's a good move; for we have been putting ourselves nearer to her when there was no need of it, as there has not been since the Belle was disabled."
He had hardly spoken the words before a tremendous cheer came from the Bellevite, and her fore-rigging appeared to be filled with men. Thecheer was repeated till it had been given at least "three times three."
"What does that mean, Christy?" asked Captain Pecklar.
"It means that my father or some one on board has recognized my flag. I should have set it before if we had been near enough for them to make it out. But they have seen it, and I feel sure that all the steamers in the bay could not capture us now. Look at the Bellevite!"
She seemed suddenly to have taken the bit in her teeth, and she was rushing forward at a speed which she had not before exhibited. Paul Vapoor was evidently wide awake.
A little later her port-holes flew open.
The crisis was at hand; for the Dauphine was darting in between the Leopard and the Bellevite, between father and son. On the port rail of the former, as if ready to leap upon the deck of the tug, were at least twenty men; and, for the first time, the plan of the enemy became apparent to Christy Passford.
He hastened to the hurricane deck of the Leopard, where he could see more clearly; and it was evident to him that the question before them would be settled within a very few minutes. If he and his companions fell into the hands of the enemy, nothing less than a severe fight with the Dauphine, perhaps aided by the Belle, on the part of the Bellevite could undo the mischief.
Christy was disposed to leave nothing to be undone. Rushing into the pilot-house, he seizedthe wheel, and threw it over, determined to redeem the fate of the tug while he could. Captain Pecklar had crowded on all the steam he could, and doubtless the boat was doing her very best. She flew round like a top, careening till her rail was under water.
"Hard up, Percy!" cried he, while the tug was still whirling. "Those men will drop on board of us if we don't get out of the Dauphine's way."
"The Bellevite is almost into her," added the volunteer pilot.
Paul Vapoor evidently understood the situation, and must have been preparing for it for some time, though the shoal-water had prevented the steamer from taking advantage of his effort. She had suddenly begun to dart ahead as though she had been an object shot from one of her biggest guns; and she seemed almost to leap out of the water in her struggle to come between the Leopard and the Dauphine.
The Bellevite was certainly making two miles to her rival's one in the race, and it looked as though she would strike her sharp bow into the broadside of the enemy. She seemed to rely on a vigorous blow with her stem rather than onher guns; for as yet she had not fired a shot, though she was fully prepared to do so.
The Leopard came about in double-quick time; and as soon as her keel was at right angles with that of the Dauphine, Christy righted the helm, and let her go in the direction of the disabled Belle. She rolled, pitched, and plunged in the sea, which had been increasing very sensibly within a short time; but she went ahead at her best speed, and that was all Christy wanted of her.
The Bellevite was still rushing down upon the Dauphine as though she intended to annihilate her when the crash came, as come it must within a minute or two. Christy's heart was in his throat, for he felt that his own safety depended upon the events of the next two minutes. A tremendous collision was impending, and thus far the Dauphine had done nothing to avoid it. Doubtless her commander had gauged the speed of the Bellevite by what she had been doing in the shoal water, and had not believed she could overhaul him before he had thrown a force on board of the Leopard.
"Now, keep her as she is, Percy, and we shallsoon know what is going to happen," said Christy, when the tug had come about so that he could not readily see the movements of the other steamers.
"We are running right into the Belle," suggested Percy.
"This thing will be settled before we can come within hail of her, and I don't think she wants any thing more of us at present," replied Christy, as he left the pilot-house, and hastened aft, where he could get a better view of the situation.
"There is a row on board of the Dauphine," said Captain Pecklar, who had come to the stern for the same purpose as Christy. "Those men are leaping down from the rail."
"What has happened on board of her?" asked Christy.
"Nothing; but the Bellevite is coming into her full tilt, and they know that the shock will knock all those men overboard; and I think they don't want to have to stop to pick them up," answered the captain.
At this moment several sharp orders were given on board of the Dauphine, and her head began to swing around to the northward.
"That's what's the matter!" exclaimed the captain. "They think they won't wait for the rap the Bellevite is ready to give them."
The helm of the enemy's steamer had been put hard-a-port; and as she promptly came about, the sharp bow of the Bellevite shot past her quarter, and she barely escaped the blow. It look as though those on board of either vessel could have leaped to the deck of the other.
"What is the reason she don't fire upon the Bellevite?" asked Christy, when he felt that the crisis was past.
"I don't believe she has any guns on board yet, though I don't know," replied the captain.
"What is she going to do now, I wonder."
"I think she will come about and try to board the Bellevite now. It seems to me that if she had any guns on board, she would have opened fire before this time."
"We must look out, or the Bellevite will run into us," added Christy, as he went forward to the pilot-house.
"That steamer has come about," said Percy, as he joined him.
"If she had not come about, the Bellevitewould have cut through her starboard quarter," replied Christy. "But we are all right now, and I think the excitement is about over."
By this time the Bellevite was abreast of the Leopard, and not half a cable's length from her; but there was no demonstration at all of any sort on board of her. Her high bulwarks concealed the whole ship's company; and no one could be seen but the lookouts forward, and a couple of officers in the rigging of the mainmast.
"Now we will get a little nearer to her," said Christy, as he threw the wheel over. "She is coming about."
The Bellevite was blowing off steam, and she had reduced her speed as soon as she went clear of the Dauphine. In a minute more, when she had come a little nearer to the Leopard, she stopped her screw.
"Tug, ahoy!" shouted some one, in whose voice Christy recognized that of Captain Breaker.
"On board the Bellevite!" responded Christy.
"Come alongside!" added the commander of the steamer.
"That's just what I was going to do," added Christy to his companion.
"I suppose we are all right now, are we not, Christy?" asked Percy.
"I don't know what will come up next. The Dauphine is still afloat, and in good condition; and I don't believe she is going to let the Bellevite off without doing something."
Captain Pecklar was letting off steam also; for he realized that the battle, so far as the Leopard was concerned, was finished. Christy steered the tug alongside of the steamer; and when he rang the bell finally to stop her, after a rope had been heaved on board of her, he left the engine, with the steam still escaping from the boiler, and the furnace-door wide open, and went to the pilot-house.
"Hurry up!" shouted Captain Breaker, appearing on the rail of the Bellevite, at the gangway.
Captain Pecklar looked astern of the tug, and saw that the Dauphine was rapidly approaching. She had come about, and her captain did not appear to be satisfied with saving his own vessel from the collision, and intended to make another movement. But he had gone some distance before he came about, though he was now rathertoo near for the comfort of the Bellevite after she had stopped her screw.
"What shall we do with this tug?" asked Christy, who had some doubts whether or not he ought to leave the Leopard in condition for further use by the enemy.
"We have no time to bother with her, and she don't amount to any thing. Come on board as quick as you can," replied Captain Breaker.
"Go on board, Captain Pecklar," said Christy, pointing to the gangway. "Come, Percy, your troubles are over for the present."
The captain went up the ladder, followed by Percy, and Christy went the last; for he felt that he must see his friends through before he abandoned the Leopard himself. The moment the owner's son showed himself on the rail, a burst of cheers came from the ship's company, to which he replied by taking off his cap and bowing.
"I am glad to see you again, Christy," said his father, as he descended to the deck and found himself in the arms of Captain Passford. "I was afraid I should have to leave you here, though I did not intend to do that as long as a plank of the Bellevite remained under me."
Christy found his father a great deal more demonstrative than he had ever known him to be before, and he fully realized that he had had a very narrow, and even a wonderful escape since he had been taken by the enemy.
Captain Breaker did not wait for father and son to finish their affectionate greetings; but as soon as Christy put his foot on the rail he directed the line to the tug to be cast off, and the order was given to start the screw. The Bellevite went ahead again, and the commander gave out the course for her.
Before Captain Passford was ready to think of any thing except the joyful meeting with his son, Captain Pecklar suddenly dropped to the deck as though a bullet from the enemy had finished his career in the very moment of victory. Christy broke from his father, and hastened to his assistance. He had fainted again from exhaustion after the efforts of the day. Dr. Linscott was at his side almost as soon as Christy, and the sufferer was borne to the cabin, where he was placed in one of the vacant state-rooms.
"Who is that man, Christy?" asked Captain Passford, as soon as the invalid had been cared for.
"That is Captain Pecklar; and he is a Union man, though he has been in charge of that tug in the service of the forts. But he is in consumption, and he does not believe he can live much longer. He says he would rather die at home than live down here," replied Christy.
"He looks like a sick man," added the owner.
"He is, and he has worked altogether beyond his strength. But I believe I should not have been here, father, at this moment, if he had not worked with me, and acted with the utmost courage and devotion."
"Then he shall want for nothing while he is on board of the Bellevite."
"But I am sure that the doctor can improve his condition; at least, I hope he can."
"He can if any one can. But how happens Percy to be with you in the tug?" asked Captain Passford, as he looked about him for the young man, who was standing near the mainmast, watching the approaching smoke-stack of the Dauphine.
"Percy has not been as reliable as Captain Pecklar; but he has done well, and has rendered good service. He has steered the tug for sometime," replied Christy, calling to him the subject of the last remarks.
"I am glad to see you again, Mr. Percy," said the owner, giving him his hand. "I am under obligations to you for all you have done to assist my son on board of that tug."
"I was at work too for myself," said Percy, taking the offered hand, "I don't belong on this side of the question, and all I want is to get back to Nassau. I have nothing to expect from my brother, Major Pierson, and my mother cannot protect me."
"In consideration of the service you have rendered to my son, I shall be glad to do all I can to assist you in getting there."
"Thank you, sir."
"But where is Florry, father?" asked Christy, looking about the deck.
"I could not allow her to be on deck when a shot was liable to come on board. She is in the cabin, and she will be as glad to see you as I have been," replied Captain Passford.
Christy hastened to the cabin.
Captain Passford and Percy soon followed Christy into the cabin, and the meeting of the brother and sister was quite as affectionate as that between father and son had been. In fact, none of them cared now for the steamers of the enemy, or for any thing else, except to get out of Mobile Bay. Christy told his story; and he learned that his father had sent a party ashore the night before to look for him, though they had been unable to obtain the slightest information in regard to him.
Captain Breaker insisted that Christy was on board of the Leopard, though not till the soldiers in the long-boat had fired into the tug. The father believed that his son would not tamely submit to being made a prisoner, and the act of Major Pierson had almost convinced him that the commander was right. He had not been fully satisfiedon this point till he recognized the silk American flag at the fore of the tug.
But Captain Passford was too much interested in the situation on deck to remain long in the cabin, and he left Christy there with Florry, who seemed to be supremely happy, now that the family was in a fair way to be re-united at no distant day.
"I think you know the gentleman who has made all this trouble for me, Florry," said Christy, when he and Percy were alone with her.
"How can I know him?" asked the fair girl, puzzled.
"He is my brother, Major Pierson; and they say he used to call at Colonel Passford's once in a while, while I was away at school," interposed Percy.
"Then I do know him," replied Florry, blushing.
"Father thought, or at least he feared, that you might not like to leave the South," added Christy.
"Did he say so?" asked the fair maiden, laughing.
"He did not say a word, but I could tell by his looks."
"Then papa was very much mistaken. Major Pierson was very kind and polite to me, and I think he is a gentleman; but I have had no desire to remain at Glenfield on his account."
Florry spoke as though she intended this remark to be the end of the conversation on that subject, and Christy felt quite sure that she was not deeply interested in the commander of Fort Gaines.
"Now, I wonder if I can't go on deck," continued Florry, breaking away from the disagreeable conversation. "They are not firing now."
"I don't know, but I will go on deck and ask father if you wish."
"Do, Christy, if you please."
The Bellevite was shaking in all her frame; for Paul Vapoor was again exercising his skill upon the screw, and she was flying through the water. The Dauphine seemed to be struggling to get up an equal degree of speed; but, fast as she was said to be, the Bellevite was running away from her. There was no excitement on deck, and Christy readily obtained the required permission for his sister.
Captain Pecklar, under the skillful treatment of Dr. Linscott, had improved a great deal, thoughhe still remained in his bed. He declared that he felt like a new man; and, whether he lived or died, he was as happy as any man ought to be on the face of the earth.
"That steamer off to the north-west has set her ensign with the union down, though I can't make out what the flag is," said Captain Breaker, addressing the owner, as Christy came on deck.
"What does that mean?" asked Captain Passford, getting upon the rail with the commander.
"I am sure I don't know. I suppose it is a signal of distress, but it may be a trick of some sort," added Captain Breaker.
"Do you know any thing about that steamer over there, Christy?" asked the owner, calling his son.
"That is the Belle, and I believe she came from Mobile," replied Christy.
"What is she out here for?"
"I have no doubt she came out here to capture the Bellevite. Uncle Homer must have sent word to some one in Mobile, judging from what I heard Major Pierson say; and probably that steamer came out here to prevent the Bellevite from going into the navy of the Union."
"But why does she hoist a signal of distress?"
"I think it is very likely she is in distress."
"She is firing a gun," added Captain Breaker, as a cloud of smoke rose from the Belle.
"Why do you think she is in distress, Christy?" asked his father.
"She opened fire on the Leopard, after she had picked up the boat containing Major Pierson's party, and Captain Pecklar and I gave her a shot in return, which went through her bow and made a big hole. She stopped her wheels then, and since that she has been out of the fight."
"The Dauphine is coming about," added Christy, as he joined the commander and his father on the rail.
"The Dauphine?" queried Captain Passford.
"That is her name. Captain Pecklar can tell you something about her. He says she is fitting up for the Confederate navy, but he thinks she has no guns on board yet."
"It is beginning to blow very fresh," said Captain Breaker, as he took a look at the sky and the waters of the bay. "My barometer indicates nasty weather."
"There is too much sea, at any rate, for asteamer with a big hole in her bow," said Captain Passford.
Christy told all he knew about the Belle, and the owner declared that he had no desire to see the large number of men on board of her drowned before his eyes. The gun the disabled steamer had fired was regarded as another signal of distress, which indicated that the situation was becoming urgent with her.
"She has hoisted a white flag," added Captain Breaker; and no glass was needed to disclose the fact that a panic existed on board of her, for men who could fight bravely for a cause they deemed right might not be willing to be drowned without being able to lift a finger to save themselves.
"Come about, Breaker, and run for the disabled steamer," said Captain Passford, in a decided tone; and the order was instantly obeyed.
The commander sent Christy to the chief engineer to have him increase the speed of the steamer, at the suggestion of the owner. Paul had not seen him before, and the two friends hugged each other like a couple of girls when they came together. But the chief did not lose a moment in obeying the order brought to him. In a fewminutes the Bellevite passed the Dauphine, and readied the vicinity of the Belle, which was evidently sinking, for she had settled a good deal in the water.
Four boats were instantly lowered into the water; and Christy was assigned to the command of one of them, while the first and second officers and the boatswain went in charge of the others. These boats were skilfully handled, and they dashed boldly up to the sinking craft. The soldiers on board of her were more afraid of water than they were of fire, and the four boats were soon loaded.
"Is that you, Christy?" said one of his passengers.
Christy looked, and saw that the person who addressed him was his uncle Homer.
"Yes, sir," replied the nephew; but he did not venture to say any thing more.
"I was not aware that you were taking an active part in this affair till Major Pierson told me that you had taken possession of his steam-tug, and that it was you who had fired the shot which disabled the Belle," continued Colonel Passford, evidently very much troubled and annoyed.
"I was made a prisoner by the major, and I have done what I could to get out of his hands," replied Christy. "I suppose you came out in this steamer for the purpose of capturing the Bellevite; but you have not done it yet, and I don't believe you will."
"I should like to see your father," added the colonel.
"We are ordered to put these people on board of the Dauphine, and she has just stopped her screw. I cannot disobey my orders, uncle Homer."
But Christy did not like to prolong the conversation, and he told his men to give way. The sea had certainly increased till it made it lively for the boats, and the colonel said no more. The passengers were put on board of the Dauphine, and it was not necessary for more than two of the boats to return to the Belle for the rest of the men on board of her. Colonel Passford insisted upon boarding the Bellevite, after the others had left the boat, and Christy yielded the point.
The Confederate brother was received by the Union brother as though nothing had occurred to divide them. He was conducted to the cabin, asit had just begun to rain, where he was greeted as kindly by Florry.
"I am sorry you left me in such an abrupt manner, Horatio," said Homer, very much embarrassed. "I think you took a rather unfair advantage of the circumstances."
"Unfair? What? When you said outright that you intended to take steps for the capture of my steamer, the only means of reaching my family, and conveying my daughter to her home, that were within my reach. I came here on a peaceful mission, and I think the unfairness was all on the other side," replied Horatio.
"I still believe that I had no moral right, before God and my countrymen, to allow you to hand this fine steamer over to the Yankee navy: but I was on board of the Belle for the purpose of seeing that no harm came to you, or any member of your family," said Homer with deep feeling.
"Then I thank you for your good intentions. But I believed, before God and my countrymen North and South, that I had no moral right to let this vessel be taken for the use of the Confederacy, and I would have burned her on the waters of Mobile Bay before I would have given her up,"added Horatio, quite as earnestly as the other had spoken.
"Fortune has favored you this time, Horatio; but when you are suffering and in want from the effects of this war, remember that I shall always have a brother's heart in my bosom, and that it will always be open to you and yours."
"I heartily reciprocate this fraternal sentiment, and I am confident that you will need my assistance before I need yours: but all that I have and all that I am shall be at your service, Homer."
"I am glad that we understand each other, and I rejoice that I came on board of your steamer for these parting words. I will not ask you what you are going to do next, for you would not tell me; but I shall expect to hear that the Bellevite has been sunk in attempting to pass the forts."
"Better that than in the service of the enemies of my country, Homer."
They parted with tears in the eyes of both, and never before had they realized how stern and severe was the mandate of duty. Christy conveyed his uncle back to the Dauphine, shook hands with him, and returned to the Bellevite.
The mission of the steamer in Mobile Bay ended,and she had nothing more to do but return to her native waters, though perhaps this would prove to be the most difficult part of the entire enterprise. The steamer stood down the bay in the drenching rain, and was soon buried in a dense fog that was blown in by the wind from the gulf. She lay off and on during the rest of the day, and the commander made his preparations for running the gantlet of the forts.
This was not so difficult and dangerous an enterprise as it became later when the channel was obstructed, though even now the feat could not be accomplished without great difficulty and danger. In the course of the day, Captain Pecklar left his berth and came on deck. Captain Breaker decided to leave the piloting of the steamer to him, after he had conversed for hours with him.
No better night in the whole year could have been selected for the undertaking. It had ceased to rain, but the darkness and the fog were as dense as possible. The pilot manifested entire confidence, as he had plenty of water in the channel, and he knew all about the currents, the tide, and the action of the wind. It was an excitingtime, when every light on board was extinguished, and the steamer started down the bay with Captain Pecklar and two quartermasters at the wheel.
After the Bellevite had passed the dangerous part of the channel, firing was heard from Fort Morgan; but the vessel was soon in the Gulf of Mexico. Heavy guns were heard for some time, but all on board of the steamer could afford to laugh at them. The ship continued on her course, and among the islands near Nassau Percy Pierson was put on board of a schooner bound to New Providence.
In eight days from the time she passed the forts, the Bellevite steamed into New York Bay, and then to Bonnydale on the Hudson, where the family were again re-united, and the fond mother wept over her two children, restored to her after all the dangers of the past.
On his arrival, Captain Passford found letters for him from the Government, and the offer of the Bellevite had been promptly accepted. After having been Taken by the Enemy, on the next voyage Christy found himself Within the Enemy's Lines.
1. UP THE BALTIC;
Or, Young America in Norway, Sweden, and Denmark.
2. NORTHERN LANDS;
Or, Young America in Russia and Prussia.
3. CROSS AND CRESCENT;
Or, Young America in Turkey and Greece.
4. SUNNY SHORES;
Or, Young America in Italy and Austria.
5. VINE AND OLIVE;
Or, Young America in Spain and Portugal.
6. ISLES OF THE SEA;
Or, Young America Homeward Bound.
"Oliver Optic" is anom de plumethat is known and loved by almost every boy of intelligence in the land. We have seen a highly intellectual and world-weary man, a cynic whose heart was somewhat imbittered by its large experience of human nature, take up one of Oliver Optic's books and read it at a sitting, neglecting his work in yielding to the fascination of the pages. When a mature and exceedingly well-informed mind, long despoiled of all its freshness, can thus find pleasure in a book for boys, no additional words ofrecommendationare needed.—Sunday Times.
1. THE BOAT CLUB;
Or, The Bonkers of Rippleton.
2. ALL ABOARD;
Or, Life on the Lake.
3. NOW OR NEVER;
Or, The Adventures of Bobby Bright.
4. TRY AGAIN;
Or, The Trials and Triumphs of Harry West.
5. POOR AND PROUD;
Or, The Fortunes of Katy Redburn.
6. LITTLE BY LITTLE;
Or, The Cruise of the Flyaway.
This is the first series of books written for the young by "Oliver Optic." It laid the foundation for his fame as the first of authors in which the young delight, and gained for him the title of the Prince of Story-Tellers. The six books are varied in incident and plot, but all are entertaining and original.
1. THE SOLDIER BOY;
Or, Tom Somers In the Army.
2. THE SAILOR BOY;
Or, Jack Somers in the Navy.
3. THE YOUNG LIEUTENANT;
Or, Adventures of an Army Officer.
4. THE YANKEE MIDDY;
Or, Adventures of a Navy Officer.
5. FIGHTING JOE;
Or, The Fortunes of a Staff Officer.
6. BRAVE OLD SALT;
Or, Life on the Quarter-Deck.
This series of six volumes recounts the adventures of two brothers, Tom and Jack Somers, one in the army, the other in the navy, in the great civil war. The romantic narratives of the fortunes and exploits of the brothers are thrilling in the extreme. Historical accuracy in the recital of the great events of that period is strictly followed, and the result is not only a library of entertaining volumes, but also the best history of the civil war for young people ever written.
1. OUTWARD BOUND;
Or, Young America Afloat.
2. SHAMROCK AND THISTLE;
Or, Young America in Ireland and Scotland.
3. RED CROSS;
Or, Young America in England and Wales.
4. DIKES AND DITCHES;
Or, Young America in Holland and Belgium.
5. PALACE AND COTTAGE;
Or, Young America in France and Switzerland.
6. DOWN THE RHINE;
Or, Young America in Germany.
The story from its inception and through the twelve volumes (seeSecond Series), is a bewitching one, while the information imparted, concerning the countries of Europe and the isles of the sea, is not only correct in every particular, but is told in a captivating style. "Oliver Optic" will continue to be the boy's friend, and his pleasant books will continue to be read by thousands of American boys. What a fine holiday present either or both series of "Young America Abroad" would be for a young friend! It would make a little library highly prized by the recipient, and would not be an expensive one.—Providence Press.
A MISSING MILLION or The Adventures of Louis BelgraveA MILLIONAIRE AT SIXTEEN or The Cruise of the Guardian motherA YOUNG KNIGHT ERRANT or Cruising in the West IndiesSTRANGE SIGHTS ABROAD or A Voyage In European Waters
THE AMERICAN BOYS AFLOAT or Cruising In the OrientTHE YOUNG NAVIGATORS or The Foreign Cruise of the MaudUP AND DOWN THE NILE or Young Adventurers in AfricaASIATIC BREEZES or Students on the Wing (in press)
Thebare announcement of a new series of books by Oliver Optic will delight boys all over the country. When they farther learn that their favorite author proposes to 'personally conduct' his army of readers on a grand tour of the world, there will be a terrible scramble for excursion tickets—that is, the opening volume of the 'Globe Trotting Series.' Of one thing the boys may be dead sure, it will be no tame, humdrum journey, for Oliver Optic does not believe that fun and excitement are injurious to boys, but, on the contrary, if of the right kind he thinks it does them good. Louis Belgrave is a fortunate lad, because, at the age of sixteen, he was the possessor of a cool million of dollars. No one, not even a young boy, can travel without money, as our author well knows, therefore he at once provided a liberal supply. Louis is a fine young fellow with good principles and honor, so he can be trusted to spend his million wisely. But he does not have entirely smooth sailing. In the first place he has a rascally step-father whom he had to subjugate, a dear mother to protect and care for, and the missing million to find before he could commence his delightful travels. They are all accomplished at last, and there was plenty of excitement and brave exploits in the doing of them, as the boy readers will find. The cover design shows many things—a globe, the Eiffel tower, mountains, seas, rivers, castles and other things Louis will see on his travels.—Current Review.
The opening of a new series of books from the pen of Oliver Optic is bound to arouse the highest anticipation in the minds of boy and girl readers. There never has been a more interesting writer in the field of juvenile literature than Mr. W. T. Adams, who under his well-known pseudonym, is known and admired by every boy and girl in the country, and by thousands who have long since passed the boundaries of youth, yet who remember with pleasure the genial, interesting pen that did so much to interest, instruct and entertain their younger years. The present volume opens "The Blue and the Gray Series," a title that is sufficiently indicative of the nature and spirit of the series, of which the first volume is now presented, while the name of Oliver Optic is sufficient warrant of the absorbing style of narrative. "Taken by the Enemy," the first book of the series, is as bright and entertaining as any work that Mr. Adams has yet put forth, and will be as eagerly perused as any that has borne his name. It would not be fair to the prospective reader to deprive him of the zest which comes from the unexpected, by entering Into a synopsis of the story. A word, however, should be said in regard to the beauty and appropriateness of the binding, which makes it a most attractive volume.—Boston Budget.
"Taken by the Enemy" has just come from the press, an announcement that cannot but appeal to every healthy boy from ten to fifteen years of age in the country. "No writer of the present day," says the BostonCommonwealth, "whose aim has been to hit the boyish heart, has been as successful as Oliver Optic. There is a period in the life of every youth, just about the time that he is collecting postage-stamps, and before his legs are long enough for a bicycle, when he has the Oliver Optic fever. He catches it by reading a few stray pages somewhere, and then there is nothing for it but to let the matter take its course. Belief comes only when the last page of the last book is read: and then there are relapses whenever a new book appears until one is safely on through the teens."—Literary News.