CHAPTER XX.
THE NEW COMMANDER OF THE BRONX "Captain Flint, the first question to be settled is in regard to the engineer force," said Christy, as the three officers seated themselves at the table.
"I think we shall have no difficulty on that score, Captain Passford, for I have already sounded those on board of the Arran, or the Escambia, as her officers call her.

As long as their wages are paid, they don't care which side they serve.

Mr.Pivotte is the chief, and he is as willing to go one way as the other." "Very well; then he shall retain his present position, and Bockburn shall be restored to the Ocklockonee.

Of course the arrangements made after the capture of the first vessel were only temporary, and I propose to report to the flag officer with everything as nearly as possible in the condition in which we left New York," continued Christy.
"Of course I expected to resume my former position on board of the Bronx as soon as we had disposed of the two steamers; and I can say that I shall not be sorry to do so," said Flint with a pleasant smile, as though he did not intend to grieve over the loss of his command.
"In a few days more, we shall move down a peg, and I shall cease to have a command as well as yourself," added Christy.
"And I suppose I shall be relegated to my position as a quartermaster," said Baskirk; "but I shall be satisfied.

I don't care to wear any spurs that I have not won, though I shall be glad to have a higher rank when I deserve it." "You deserve it now, Mr.Baskirk, and if you don't receive it, it will not be on account of any weakness in my report of the events of the last twenty-four hours," added Christy heartily.
"Thank you, captain; I suppose I could have procured a better position than that of able seaman, but I preferred to work my way up." "It was wise not to begin too high up, and you have already won your spurs.