The man addressed as Spikeley must be the engineer then, and not a soldier, Christy realized at once.
"Don't I mind the bells, Major Pierson?" asked the engineer, whose tones indicated that he was not a little astonished at the positive order he had received.
"You will not mind the bells. You will take no notice of them after this present moment. When I tell you to stop the engine, you will stop it, not without, no matter how many times the bells ring," said the major with emphasis.
"I hear you, and I understand now what I am to do," replied Spikeley.
"All right, so far; but do you understand what you are not to do?" demanded the officer sharply, as though he fully comprehended the obtuseness of the engineer.
"I reckon I do: I am not to start the engine till you tell me to start it," answered the dull engineer.
"Not if you don't start it for a month!" added the major sternly.
"But you are going off, Major Pierson," suggested Spikeley. "If that steamer over yonder looks like she was going to run over the Leopard, I am not to start the engine to keep her from being sent to the bottom of the bay?"
"No!" exclaimed the officer.
"All right, major; then you may find me on the bottom when you come back."