[Stand By The Union by Oliver Optic]@TWC D-Link book
Stand By The Union

CHAPTER XIV
4/9

I must go on deck now, for I can smell the fog." "How are you going to get to the entrance of the bay in a fog ?" inquired Corny.
"If we keep her due west we shall be all right; and I know this coast as well as I do my father's plantation," replied Mr.Galvinne; and Christy heard him open the door.
"I think I shall go on deck and see the fun, if there is any, and turn in if there is none," added Christy.
The dishes rattled for a moment, and then the fugitive heard the step and the voice of Dave in the stateroom.
"I done bring you something more to eat, Massa Christy," said the steward, who appeared to have suffered some lapse in his grammar and pronunciation during the absence at the North of his instructor; and as he spoke he handed in a piece of pie and a large slice of cake.
Christy was not very hungry after his late dinner, but he ate the dainties brought to him, and found that the cook of the Bronx had lost none of his skill.

He might not have an opportunity to eat again very soon, for he did not lose sight of the fact that failure was possible, and he might soon be an occupant of a Confederate prison with Flint, as he had been once before.
Dave busied himself in clearing the cabin table, and Christy impatiently waited the time for the decided action which had been planned.

About half an hour later, when he realized from the condition of the stateroom that it was quite dark, the sounds coming to him assured him that the course of the Bronx had been changed as indicated by Mr.Galvinne.
No noise or confusion on deck followed it, and the naval officer's prediction seemed to be in a fair way to be realized.
Another half hour elapsed, and except the monotonous plaint of the screw, no sound was to be heard.

A footstep came from the cabin, where Dave was at work, or appeared to be, for he had been stationed there for his part of the programme which was presently to be carried out.
"Steward, light the lamp in my stateroom," said Corny; and Christy was glad to find that he intended to retire for the night, for he had no duties to perform unless there was a disturbance on the quarter-deck.
The lamp on gimbols was lighted, and Corny took possession of the room, and had not a suspicion that he was not its only occupant.

He lay down in his berth after he had removed his coat and shoes, and in a few minutes Christy judged that he was asleep from the sound of his breathing, which soon degenerated into a mild snore.


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