I am going to hail the Vampire, and ask if Captain Carboneer is on board," replied the midshipman, quietly.
"You are going to hail her!" exclaimed Mr.Watts.

"Are you mad, Christy?
I should say that you were." "You shall be your own judge on that point." "But the moment you use the name of Captain Carboneer, they will take the alarm, and the next thing will be a bullet through your head." "I will take the risk of that," answered Christy.

"But you need not go far from the river on this dark night.

There is a clump of bushes this side of the road, and you may get behind it." The steward was not at all satisfied with the situation, but he complied with the request of the midshipman, and concealed himself behind the bushes.

Christy took a position on the very verge of the water.