Christy permitted the captain of the Raven to take care of himself, while he waited for the visitors to present themselves.
"I am very glad to see you, Mr.Amblen!" exclaimed Christy, as he extended his hand; for he recognized in the first officer the gentleman who had been his third lieutenant in the Bronx.
"I am delighted to see you again, Captain Passford," replied Lieutenant Amblen, for such was his present rank.

"I am now the executive officer of the Muskegon.

I have the pleasure of presenting to you Mr.Cartright, first lieutenant of the St.Croix." "I am happy to meet you, Mr.Cartright." "I have often heard of you, Captain Passford, and I am glad to see you in command of so fine and fast a steamer as the St.Regis, though I never heard of her before," added the executive officer of the St.
Croix.

"Of course you are aware that there is a steamer in sight to the westward of us." "I am aware of it; and for that reason we should hasten our present business," replied Christy, as he glanced at the steamer in the distance and the trails of smoke astern of her.

"I do not know who is the ranking officer here; and I have not yet reported to the admiral, for I took part in the chase from the moment of my arrival." "You are a lieutenant"-- Mr.Amblen began.
"A lieutenant-commander, if you please," interposed Christy with a smile.
"Then you are the ranking officer, Captain Passford, for both of the other commanders are lieutenants," added the executive officer of the Muskegon.