But his signal was soon seen, and a boat came off from the steamer.
[Illustration: "Jump on the rock or I will fire before you are ten seconds older." Page 276.] "Boat ahoy!" shouted the officer in charge of the cutter.
"In the boat!" replied Christy, turning around as he suspended his labor with the oar.
"Lieutenant Passford!" exclaimed Mr.Hackling, the second lieutenant of the Chateaugay.

"Is it possible that it is you ?" "I haven't any doubt of it, Mr.Hackling, if you have," replied the late prisoner, heartily rejoiced to find himself in good company again.
"But what does this mean?
How do you happen to be here ?" demanded the astonished lieutenant of the ship.
"I happen to be here because I have just played a sharp game.

I was a prisoner on that steamer yonder, on my way to a rebel prison.

But I think it is necessary that I should report immediately to Captain Chantor in regard to the character of the Snapper, which is the name of the vessel you have been chasing." The Snapper's boat was taken in tow, and the crew of the cutter gave way with a will.

In due time Christy was received with the most unbounded astonishment by the commander on the deck of the Chateaugay.
"Where is Mr.Gilfleur?
I hope that no accident has happened to him," said the captain with deep anxiety on his face.
"None that I am aware of; but if you will excuse me from explanations for the present, I will state that the steamer on the bank is the Snapper, Captain Flanger, bound for Mobile; and the captain told me that he intended to run the blockade." "Mr.Hackling, take charge of the second cutter, and give Mr.Birdwing my order to make a prize of that steamer, and bring her off to the deep water." It was quite dark when this order was executed..