Captain Folkner was silent for a moment, during which Christy thought he must have obtained a new idea, for it looked as though he had not thought of the working of the screw after all his flotation schemes had been successful.
"I reckon the propeller will have hold enough on the water to make her go right along, Gilder. I don't reckon you need make any trouble about that," added the man of mechanical ability, rather sheepishly.
Christy had brought his boat's crew on deck, and directed Flint how to post them. He thought he had paid proper respect to the talent of the enthusiast in listening to his theory, and that it was about time to bring the adventure to an issue.
"I shall not make any trouble about the screw, Captain Folkner, for I don't think we shall have any difficulty about it. But I believe we had better not hoist it any higher out of water," added Christy. "I mean that I think we had better go out of the bay by the main channel."
"He placed one of his men on each side of the Captain."—Page 233.
"That means to run the blockade?" said the captain.
"That's the idea."
"Gilder, I want you to understand that I command this steamer," continued Captain Folkner, angrily.
"Right, with a little correction: You did command her, and I command her now," replied Christy, as he placed one of his men on each side of the captain.