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Updated: May 22, 2025
"I don't understand it, Beeks," said Christy as he found himself by the side of the quartermaster. "Why don't the ship give chase?" "I think she must be disabled, sir," replied the warrant officer. "What could have disabled her?" "I suppose she might be hit as well as this vessel," replied Beets, no better pleased with the situation than his companion in trouble.
Sundry ropes, fenders, and pieces of lumber were dislodged, and everything put in order about the main deck. Then he visited the engine-room, and learned from Sampson that he had a full head of steam. This careful inspection completed, he ordered the quartermaster to cast off the fast at the buoy. Taking his place in the pilot-house with Beeks, he rang the bell to go ahead.
But the men I have with me won't work, and I shall not be ready for them, I am afraid." "What is the reason they won't work?" "They say they shipped to fight the Yankees, and they are not going to do such work as lighting up the steamer." "Perhaps we can bring them to their senses," said Christy, as he ordered Beeks to give way again.
"East by south, sir," replied Beeks, as he put the whaleboat on the required course. Thus far, Christy had kept his own counsel, and not whispered a word of his intentions even to the master's mate. He had no motive for such heroic concealment of his plan, but he had not had the time to discuss it with any person.
You buoyed it, did you not?" said Christy, with a sudden renewal of energy, as he hastened to the pilot-house, where Beeks and Thayer had been sent before. "I buoyed the cable, sir," replied the sheet-anchorman. "Then cast it off. Sampson, open the cabin for the ladies," added Christy, as he disappeared in the pilot-house. But the ladies preferred to go into the engine-room.
He only glanced at the head-lines as he had done before, and then dropped the paper, as though the announcement he had read was all he desired to know. "Beeks," said he, as a quartermaster passed near him. The man addressed promptly halted, raised his hand to his cap, and waited the pleasure of the owner of the steamer.
They were to go on board of the steamer at once; but Beeks was to bring a canoe from the boat-house to the point on the shore nearest to the Bellevite before he went on board. Both of these men were cautioned not to say anything about any person they might see, and the same instruction was given to all the others whose services were required. Mr.
Blowitt again intimated that they were engaged in a "wild-goose chase." But he had hardly uttered this cooling reflection before Beeks came aft to report that a number of pistol shots, as he thought they were, had been heard in the distance. "Nobody can tell what they mean," said the sceptical Mr. Blowitt. "They may be a part of the affair we heard going on soon after we left the ship."
For the next half-hour, the firing from the Bellevite was more rapid, and several crashes, produced by the striking of shot, were heard. It was soon apparent that one of the stern chasers had been disabled; and after a while the other ceased its noise. Beeks was so excited that he left the wardroom, and found his way into what proved to be the captain's cabin.
While Bob was at luncheon he got upon his feet, went to the door and looked down the street at the big flat. An irresistible desire to go and talk the matter over with Miss Beeks took possession of him, and almost before he knew it he was seated in a little reception-room waiting for the appearance of the remarkable young woman who professed to be able to talk away a boil.
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