Part 10 (1/2)

”All ready, sir!” replied French.

”Captain Rombold will get under way in five minutes!” called the speaker on the stern of the steamer. ”Wait for three short whistles, and then heave up your anchor!”

”Understood, and all right,” added the spokesman of the West Wind.

”Captain Rombold!” exclaimed Christy to himself, as he heard for the first time the name of the commander of the Tallahatchie.

The lieutenant, acting as the servant of the French detective at St.

George's in the Bermudas, had seen Captain Rombold, and had heard him converse for an hour with Mr. Gilfleur, when he was in command of the Dornoch, which had been captured by the Chateaugay, on board of which Christy was a pa.s.senger. He was known to be a very able and brave officer, and his defeat was owing more to the heavier metal of the loyal s.h.i.+p than to any lack of skill or courage on the part of the Confederate commander. The last the young officer knew about him, he was a prisoner of war in New York, and had doubtless been exchanged for some loyal officer of equal rank, for the enemy had plenty of them on hand.

”Man the windla.s.s, my lads,” said Christy in a quiet tone, though he was still thinking of the commander of the steamer which was to tow out the schooner.

While he was waiting for the three short whistles, Graines came forward and reported in what manner he had secured the captain, and that the two men on the cotton bales were still insensible.

”You may be sure the captain will not come out of his stateroom until we let him out,” added the engineer; and Christy proceeded to explain what had pa.s.sed between the schooner and the steamer.

”The Tallahatchie has one of the ablest commanders that sail the ocean, for I have seen and know him,” continued the lieutenant. ”It is Captain Rombold, now or formerly, of the British Navy. He is a gentleman and a scholar, as well as a brave and skilful officer.”

”Then Captain Breaker may have his hands full before he captures the steamer,” added the engineer.

”He certainly will; but a great deal depends upon the weight of the Tallahatchie's metal.”

”We shall soon have a chance to judge of that.”

”I should like to know something more about this steamer, though my father's letter gives us the princ.i.p.al details; but we have no time now to examine her,” continued Christy.

”Who's that?” demanded Graines, as he saw a man walking forward over the bales of cotton.

It proved to be Bokes, who had slept off a part of the effects of the debauch; but Sopsy had probably consumed a large portion of the contents of his bottle.

”Does you uns happen to have any more apple-jack?” asked the fellow.

”Somehow I lost nigh all o' mine, and I'm sufferin', dyin' for a drink.”

”French, take him to the deck-house, and fasten him in,” said Christy in a low tone.

”Come with me, my hearty, and we'll see what there is in the deck-house,” said the seaman, as he took the man by the arm and led him to the place indicated. ”Now go in and find your bunk. Get into it, and I will look for a bottle here.”

[Ill.u.s.tration: ”Dowse that glim in your fo'castle!” Page 111.]

Bokes crept to his bunk, and stretched himself out there. French took the bottle the lieutenant had emptied into the bay, and gave it to him.

Then he closed the door, and finding a padlock and hasp on it, he locked him in. Two of the three men who had remained on board of the schooner were now prisoners; and Sopsy was considered as harmless as a fishworm.

French had hardly reported what he had done before the three short whistles were sounded, and Christy gave the order to heave up the anchor.

”West Wind, ahoy!” shouted the same officer who had spoken before.

”On board the steamer!” replied French, when he was directed to reply.