"On board the Bellevite!" responded Christy.
"Come alongside!" added the commander of the steamer.
"That's just what I was going to do," added Christy to his companion.
"I suppose we are all right now, are we not, Christy?" asked Percy.
"I don't know what will come up next. The Dauphine is still afloat, and in good condition; and I don't believe she is going to let the Bellevite off without doing something."
Captain Pecklar was letting off steam also; for he realized that the battle, so far as the Leopard was concerned, was finished. Christy steered the tug alongside of the steamer; and when he rang the bell finally to stop her, after a rope had been heaved on board of her, he left the engine, with the steam still escaping from the boiler, and the furnace-door wide open, and went to the pilot-house.
"Hurry up!" shouted Captain Breaker, appearing on the rail of the Bellevite, at the gangway.
Captain Pecklar looked astern of the tug, and saw that the Dauphine was rapidly approaching. She had come about, and her captain did not appear to be satisfied with saving his own vessel from the collision, and intended to make another movement. But he had gone some distance before he came about, though he was now rather too near for the comfort of the Bellevite after she had stopped her screw.
"What shall we do with this tug?" asked Christy, who had some doubts whether or not he ought to leave the Leopard in condition for further use by the enemy.
"We have no time to bother with her, and she don't amount to any thing. Come on board as quick as you can," replied Captain Breaker.