It now appeared that the engine had been greatly benefited by whatever changes had been made.
These improvements had been explained to the commander by Mr.Sampson the day before; but Christy had not given much attention to the matter, for he preferred to let the speed of the vessel speak for itself; and this was what it appeared to be doing at the present time.
Christy walked the deck for some time, observing everything that presented itself, and taking especial notice of the working of the vessel.

Though he made no claims to any superior skill, he was really an expert, and the many days and months he had passed in the companionship of Paul Vapoor in studying the movements of engines and hulls had made him wiser and more skilful than it had even been suspected that he was.
He was fully competent for the position he was temporarily filling; but he had made himself so by years of study and practice.
Christy had not yet obtained all the experience he required as a naval officer, and he was fully aware that this was what he needed to enable him to discharge his duty in the best manner.

He was in command of a small steamer, a position of responsibility which he had not coveted in this early stage of his career, though it was only for a week or less, as the present speed of the Bronx indicated.

He had ambition enough to hope that he should be able to distinguish himself in this brief period, for it might be years before he again obtained such an opportunity.

His youth was against him, and he was aware that he had been selected to take the steamer to the Gulf because there was a scarcity of officers of the proper grade, and his rank gave him the position.
The motion of the Bronx exactly suited him, and he judged that in a heavy sea she would behave very well.