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"May I ask you for a few minutes in private, Captain Passford?" continued Percy. "Certainly;" and the owner retired with him to the weather-rail. "I have seen this vessel, and I have heard what you say of her. Now I am better informed in regard to her than my father is. I am not authorized to name a price, but I am very sure that he will buy her." "So he said to me himself, Mr.
"Danger!" exclaimed Captain Passford, straightening up his manly form. "War with all its perils and hardships is before us. Am I a villain, a poltroon, who will desert his country in the hour of her greatest need? I do not so understand myself." "Of course I meant any needless exposure," added Mrs. Passford, impressed by the patriotic bearing of her husband.
"On the contrary, I do want you, Christy," replied Captain Passford, as he halted, and the commander passed him on his way to the cabin. "I wish you to understand as well as I do myself what we are going to do." "I shall be very glad to know more about it," added Christy, pleased with the confidence his father reposed in him in connection with the serious undertaking before him.
Christy struck his bell, and the steward promptly appeared at the door. "Dave, go to the quarters, and conduct the prisoner, Mr. Passford, to this cabin. You may take off his handcuffs; here is the key," said Christy, and steward took the key and departed. "How high is the grass in the streets of New York, Christy?" asked the colonel, with a twinkle of the eye, and a smile. "Grass!
Captain Passford then looked over the rest of the ship's company with a deeper interest than he cared to manifest, for they were to some extent bound up with the immediate future of his son. It was not such a ship's company as that which manned the Bellevite, though composed of much good material. The captain shook hands with his son, and went on board of his boat.
"I don't know exactly where we are now, Captain Passford," said the officer of the expedition. "We lie about south of what Mike calls the big house, a mile and a half distant from it. Make the boat's course north north-west, and you will strike the shore about half way between the planter's house and the fort.
I think he would not have killed me, for that would have blocked his game; but he would have wounded me in two minutes more. I thank you with all my heart, Dave, and I shall not forget what you have done." "Thank you, Captain Passford," replied the steward. "I do not fully understand this affair, captain," said Mr. Flint. "Sit down, take a seat, doctor, and I will tell you all about it.
In a few minutes the two stout sailors who had removed him from the captain's cabin appeared on deck, dragging Captain Flanger after them, for he would not walk, and did all he could with his hands made fast behind him to embarrass his conductors. "Captain Passford, I protest agailst this treatment of a prisoler of war," howled the privateersman. "All right, Captain Flanger."
In various parts of the deck of the Bellevite, the officers, seamen, engineers, and coal-passers of the steamer were gathered in knots, evidently discussing the situation; for the news brought on board by the pilot had been spread through the ship. Captain Passford hardly noticed the announcement made to him by the commander, that the tug was alongside, for he was not yet ready to make use of it.
"By the way, Colonel Passford, the captain wished me to ascertain if you have been to breakfast," added the surgeon, following him out into the cabin. "I have not, Doctor; but it was because I wanted none, for I do not feel like eating," replied the pale planter. "Punch, go to the galley, get a beefsteak, a plate of toast, and a cup of coffee.
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