Corny presented his commission and orders for the inspection of the officer in command, and for the present the formalities were completed.

Corny was evidently in command of the Bronx; but Christy could not determine the position of Mr.Flint, and he watched his movements with intense interest for some time.
The late acting-commander did not leave the deck, as he would have been likely to do if he had been relieved and ordered to report on board of the flag-ship, though he might have been superseded as executive officer,--a position which he was clearly entitled to hold.

A little later, the draft of seamen were ordered to file on board of the Bronx.
Then the observer saw Mr.Galvinne, with a rather pompous gesture point to the men who were coming on board, and say something he could not hear to Mr.Flint.He had evidently directed him to receive the seamen as they came on deck.

This indicated that the late second lieutenant of the Vernon had been appointed executive officer of the Bronx.
Christy felt that the time for action had come.

Taking his valise in his hand he joined the file of men, and cleverly inserting himself between a couple of them, he went on the deck of the Bronx without being challenged as to his right to do so.