"I want to get away from here as much as you do; and I will take the wheel again, if you will let me," continued Percy.
"I don't ask you to expose yourself; but, if you take the helm, you must stick to it till you are relieved. We have no time to fool with you."
"I will stick to it, Christy."
"Very well, then you shall take it; but if you desert your post again, I will shoot you the first time I set eyes on you."
"That is rough."
"If you think it is, don't take the helm."
"I will take it, for I had rather be shot by those in the other steamers than by you."
"I am going below to help Captain Pecklar; but the moment the tug goes wrong, I shall send a ball from my revolver up into the pilot-house."
"I understand you, and it looks as though we were getting into a hot place. I will do my duty as well as I know how. Now tell me how I am to steer."
"Run for that point you see far off to the northward."