"Now, Mr. Watts, I have a further duty for you to perform," said Christy, as he explained his plan to the steward. "We shall go down the river till we meet this steamer which conveys the enemy. As you are a sailor as well as a caterer, you have a nautical eye, and when you have seen this steamer you will know her again."
"Trust me for that. If it is the old tub I think it is, I know her already," answered the steward.
"What steamer do you think it is?"
"The old Vampire; and if you give her much of a rap, she will go to the bottom without the least difficulty."
"I don't care where she goes to, provided she don't put her passengers on board of the Bellevite. But I am taking you down the river with me in order that you may see her and know her."
"I shall know her as soon as I see her."
"As I said before, I shall run my horse back and get aboard of the Bellevite as soon as I am satisfied that the enemy are moving up the river," continued Christy.
"I am afraid I shall not be able to keep up with you if you run your horse," suggested the steward.
"I don't want you to keep up with me. You can come along as leisurely as you please, though you must not let the enemy get ahead of you."
"If the enemy are in the old Vampire, I could keep ahead of her on foot."