CHRISTY BECOMES A VICTIM Everything was perfectly still on the island, and only a single man was in sight; but Christy put his hand upon his revolver as he went on shore.

Though he had never been a fighting young man, he had the impression that he should not tamely submit to the assault of an enemy, or run away from any single man that stood up in front of him.

He had always been prudent, even while he had been daring, and he hardly needed the solemn admonition of the second lieutenant to be extremely cautious.
"Is that you, Captain Gilder ?" asked the man on the shore, who stood a little way from the waterside.
"Yes; and I take it for granted that you are Lonley," replied Christy, advancing towards the other.

"You have done all the talking this night, and I ought to know you." "All the talking except what you have done, and I ought to know you," replied Lonley.

"I am Lieutenant Lonley, of the Teaser, and our men are all ready to go on board." "And Captain Folkner is all ready to have them go on board," returned Christy, who had no doubt of the truth of what he said, though he understood that he was telling a "story" all the same.
"I have no doubt he is.