Then he brought her so that the water was comparatively smooth on her port quarter, where the long-boat was.
Without the loss of a moment, the major drove all his men into the boat, and they shoved off.

The men were soldiers, and they had had but little practice in rowing, having taken it up at the fort.

They made rather bad work of it; but, more by luck than skill, the boat cleared the tug without being stove.
"Spikeley!" shouted the major.
"Here, sir," replied the engineer, hobbling out of his room.
"Stop the engine, and remember what I told you," added the commandant.
"All right, sir: I will do just as you ordered me." "What does he want to stop the engine for ?" asked Percy.

"She don't roll so badly when the engine is going." "That is very true; but your brother knows what he is about," replied Christy, his eyes beginning to light up with an unwonted fire.
"Well, what is he about ?" "He is going to capture the Bellevite." "He will have a nice time of it!" exclaimed Percy.

"That steamer can blow him out of the water a dozen times before he gets near her." "I don't believe your brother has any idea that the Bellevite is heavily armed," added Christy.
"But he has been on board of her." "That is very true; but the two heavy guns were covered up, and the others were sent down into the hold.