CHAPTER x.x.x
RUNNING THE GANTLET
Captain Pa.s.sford 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 ash.o.r.e 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 satisfied on this point till he recognized the silk American flag at the fore of the tug.
But Captain Pa.s.sford 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 Pa.s.sford"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, though he 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 Pa.s.sford, 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 Pa.s.sford.
"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 a steamer with a big hole in her bow," said Captain Pa.s.sford.
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 gla.s.s 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 Pa.s.sford, 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 few minutes the Bellevite pa.s.sed 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 a.s.signed 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 pa.s.sengers.
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 Pa.s.sford, 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."