It was a quarter of one, and still the puffing of the Vampire came from the same direction.

It was plain enough to him that the old tub was not a racer.

But she showed herself beyond the bend in about a quarter of an hour, indicating that her rate of speed, or rather of slowness, was not more than four statute miles an hour.

But this was simply confirmation of what the steward had said on the subject.

Yet she was coming, though it was too dark on the river to see her in detail.
Though he strained his eyes to the utmost, Christy could not discover any men on her forward deck.
"I think you had better move back where you cannot be seen," said the midshipman, in a low tone, to his companion.
"Do you wish me to leave you alone, Christy ?" asked the steward, surprised at the request.
"That is just what I wish, for I don't care to have any one on board of the Vampire see more than one person at this point," replied Christy, still gazing through the gloom at the approaching steamer.
"Excuse me, Christy; but what are you going to do?
I prefer to be within supporting distance of you." "I don't think I shall need any support.