CHAPTER XXV.
CAPTAIN FLANGER IN IRONS Christy Passford related to Captain Chantor all that had occurred to the detective and himself from the time of their departure from the ship to their parting on the shore; and he did not fail to mention the fact that Mr.Gilfleur had come to his assistance when he was assaulted by the ruffian in front of the saloon.
"You have had a narrow escape, Mr.Passford," said the commander, when he had concluded.

"The idea of avenging an injury received in that way is something I never happened to hear of before, though my experience is not unlimited.

Mr.Birdwing," he continued, after the first lieutenant had reported to him, "had you any difficulty in effecting the capture of the Snapper ?" "Only with the captain; for my force was sufficient to have taken her if she had been fully armed and manned.

There was no fighting; but I was obliged to put the captain in irons, for he was about the ugliest and most unreasonable man I ever encountered," replied the chief of the boat expedition.

"I was not at all satisfied that the steamer was a fit subject for capture till your order came to me, brought by Mr.Hackling.
Then Captain Flanger not only protested, with more bad language than I ever before heard in the same time, but he absolutely refused to yield.
I could not give him the reasons that induced you to send me the order, and I referred the matter to you." The Snapper had been anchored within a cable's length of the Chateaugay, and Mr.Birdwing had brought Captain Flanger on board of the ship, with Percy Pierson, that the question of prize might be definitely settled by the commander, for he was not quite satisfied himself.