Part 29 (1/2)
The Bronx steamed off at her best speed in the direction of the approaching steamer, which appeared to be fast, and to be of that peculiarly rakish cla.s.s of vessels of which there were so many engaged in the business of blockade running. She was examined by the officers with their gla.s.ses; but they were unable to make her out. Her ensign was set on a stern pole; but they could not see whether it was the American or the Confederate flag.
”What do you make of her, Mr. Pa.s.sford?” asked the captain, as they watched her advance over the smooth sea.
”She is or has been a blockade runner, and that is all I can make out of her,” replied Christy.
”She may have run the blockade, fitted in Mobile or some other port as a cruiser, and come out to do what mischief she can. We may have to fight for our prizes, but the splinters will fly before she gets them away from us,” said Captain Blowitt, who watched the steamer with an anxious look on his face, resolute as he was in the discharge of his duty. ”She is considerably larger than the Bronx.”
”As I make her out, she looks something like the Ocklockonee and the Escambia, which we sent to New York, though they had but one smokestack each while this one has two. They were about five hundred tons; and I should think this vessel was of very nearly the same size,” added Christy.
”Flies the American flag, sir,” reported a quartermaster who had been sent into the main rigging to observe her.
”That may be a trick,” said the captain, ”though I hardly think it is, for she is larger than the Bronx, and need not resort to tricks.”
A little later, she began to hoist her signals on the foremast where they could be plainly seen. Mr. Flint made them out to the effect that the steamer had orders for the Bronx. This settled the question, and there was no more anxiety in regard to her, and there was to be no sea fight for the possession of the prizes.
In less than half an hour the two steamers were within hailing distance of each other, and the stranger sent off a boat with an officer as soon as both vessels had stopped their screws and lost their headway. As Christy watched the approaching boat, he recognized the chief engineer of the Bellevite in the stern sheets. It was Paul Vapoor, his old friend and crony, who waved his cap as soon as he discovered the first lieutenant. The boat came to the side, and Paul mounted the accommodation ladder. He was a demonstrative young man, and he embraced Christy as though he had been a Frenchman, as soon as he reached the deck. He touched his cap to Captain Blowitt, and then delivered several huge envelopes to him, and also a despatch bag.
”Bearer of despatches, sir,” said the chief engineer of the Bellevite.
”I see you are, Mr. Vapoor. If you will make yourself at home on board of the Bronx, I will read these papers in my cabin,” said the captain, as he went below.
”I think Mr. Pa.s.sford and I shall not waste any time while you are engaged, captain,” replied Mr. Vapoor.
Certain personal and social matters had to be spoken of, and Paul had to ask about Florry Pa.s.sford first, and Christy's father and mother afterwards, though there was no news to tell.
”What are those vessels off there, Christy?” asked Paul, pointing to the Havana and the schooners.
”They are our prizes,” replied the first lieutenant.
”Did you have to fight for them?”
”A little, not much. What steamer is that in which you came, Paul?”
”Our prize,” replied Paul, with a smile as though he knew more than he was permitted to tell. ”We had an awful fight to get her; but we got her all the same. Poor Mr. Das.h.i.+ngton was badly wounded, and he may not get over it.”
”I am sorry to hear that. Where was the fight?” asked Christy.
”About a hundred miles off the entrance to Mobile Bay. We were sent to look out for her on account of our speed. She came out, and seemed to think she was going to have her own way. We overhauled her, and captured her by boarding.”
”Captain Blowitt wishes to see Lieutenant Pa.s.sford and Mr. Vapoor in his cabin,” said Dave, coming up to them at this moment; and both of them hastened to obey the summons.
”Take seats, gentlemen,” said the commander, as he pointed to chairs at the table at which he was seated. ”I am ordered back to the Bellevite as first lieutenant, for poor Das.h.i.+ngton has been seriously wounded.
Mr. Pa.s.sford is ordered to New York in the Vixen, which brings these despatches, for she must be condemned. Mr. Flint is ordered to the temporary command of the Bronx, though I am unable to understand why it is made temporary. You are to convoy several vessels at Key West in the Vixen, which is fully armed, and has a sufficient crew.”
Christy was never more astonished in all his life.
CHAPTER XXIX
THE NEW COMMANDER OF THE VIXEN