THE FIRST LESSON FOR A SAILOR As the engineer was a cripple, Christy Passford had not expected to have any difficulty in bringing him to terms; and the result justified his calculations.

The Leopard was now practically in his possession, for Captain Pecklar was the only person on board, except Percy, who could give him any trouble; and he was too feeble to do any thing.
Percy seemed to be very busy in the pilot-house, going through imaginary evolutions at the wheel, and supposing all sorts of orders, and all kinds of positions in which the tug might be placed.

He did not seem even to observe what his companion was doing, though the engineer had been driven into the forecastle in plain sight from the window of the pilot-house.
[Illustration: "The Engineer Obeyed" (Page 277)] The long-boat was still struggling through the waves on her way to the Bellevite, and could hardly have made any worse weather of such a comparatively mild sea.

But she had made some considerable progress, for the boat was now making a proper allowance for leeway, and the soldiers were improving in their rowing, possibly under the direction of the major, who could not help seeing how badly they had been doing.
Christy decided to ascertain more definitely the condition of Captain Pecklar, for reports in in regard to him were conflicting.

He went to his state-room, and found him in his berth.