Uncle Homer must have sent word to some one in Mobile, judging from what I heard Major Pierson say; and probably that steamer came out here to prevent the Bellevite from going into the navy of the Union." "But why does she hoist a signal of distress ?" "I think it is very likely she is in distress." "She is firing a gun," added Captain Breaker, as a cloud of smoke rose from the Belle.
"Why do you think she is in distress, Christy ?" asked his father.
"She opened fire on the Leopard, after she had picked up the boat containing Major Pierson's party, and Captain Pecklar and I gave her a shot in return, which went through her bow and made a big hole.

She stopped her wheels then, and since that she has been out of the fight." "The Dauphine is coming about," added Christy, as he joined the commander and his father on the rail.
"The Dauphine ?" queried Captain Passford.
"That is her name.

Captain Pecklar can tell you something about her.

He says she is fitting up for the Confederate navy, but he thinks she has no guns on board yet." "It is beginning to blow very fresh," said Captain Breaker, as he took a look at the sky and the waters of the bay.

"My barometer indicates nasty weather." "There is too much sea, at any rate, for a steamer with a big hole in her bow," said Captain Passford.
Christy told all he knew about the Belle, and the owner declared that he had no desire to see the large number of men on board of her drowned before his eyes.