He did not feel that the service he was about to render would benefit the enemy, on the one hand; and he hoped that his father or some other person on board of the Bellevite would see him in the pilot-house, on the other hand.

If he could only let his father know where he was, he felt that he should remove a heavy burden from his mind and that of his sister.
What else might come from getting near to the steamer, he did not venture to consider.

But he could not help figuring up the number of soldiers on board of the tug; the force which had captured him and Percy consisted of four men, and two men were with the lieutenant.

Two officers and six men was the available force of the enemy on board of the little steamer, for neither the captain nor the engineer was fit for duty.
"I accept your offer, Captain Passford; and we have no time to spare, or the sick man may die," said the major.
Christy made no reply, but went to the wheel, and rang the bell to go ahead.

Heading the Leopard for the Bellevite, he gave himself up to a consideration of the situation.