"I was afraid I should have to leave you here, though I did not intend to do that as long as a plank of the Bellevite remained under me." Christy found his father a great deal more demonstrative than he had ever known him to be before, and he fully realized that he had had a very narrow, and even a wonderful escape since he had been taken by the enemy.
Captain Breaker did not wait for father and son to finish their affectionate greetings; but as soon as Christy put his foot on the rail he directed the line to the tug to be cast off, and the order was given to start the screw.

The Bellevite went ahead again, and the commander gave out the course for her.
Before Captain Passford was ready to think of any thing except the joyful meeting with his son, Captain Pecklar suddenly dropped to the deck as though a bullet from the enemy had finished his career in the very moment of victory.

Christy broke from his father, and hastened to his assistance.

He had fainted again from exhaustion after the efforts of the day.

Dr.Linscott was at his side almost as soon as Christy, and the sufferer was borne to the cabin, where he was placed in one of the vacant state-rooms.
"Who is that man, Christy ?" asked Captain Passford, as soon as the invalid had been cared for.
"That is Captain Pecklar; and he is a Union man, though he has been in charge of that tug in the service of the forts.