Vietnam or Thailand ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
"She has settled considerably in the water, Captain Chantor, and that is evidently the reason why she hauled down her flag," said Christy, just as the ship's company were cheering at the disappearance of the Confederate flag from the peak of the enemy. "I was confident she could not endure much more such hulling as Mr.
Passford?" said Captain Chantor. "Yes, sir; I am too much interested in this affair to sleep; besides, I feel as though I had slept at home enough to last me six months," replied the passenger. "It seems to me that the question of that vessel's destination is to be decided about this time, or at least within an hour or two."
"If you did, your father did the very best thing in the world for his country, and has given it one of the bravest and best officers in the service," replied Captain Chantor, still wringing the hand of his passenger. "But I don't believe anything of the kind; and no officer who knows you, even if he is thirsting for promotion, believes it.
"In what I am about to say to you, Captain Chantor, I understand that I am talking to an officer of the utmost discretion," continued Captain Passford, "and not a word of it must be repeated to any person on board of the Chateaugay, and certainly not to any other person whatever." "I understand you perfectly, sir," replied the officer. "My lips shall be sealed to all."
"But then what use shall you make of your advantage in speed and weight of metal?" asked the passenger very quietly. "We both believe that there is humanity in war as well as in peace." At that moment a shot passed under the counter of the ship, and buried itself in the water a cable's length beyond her. "That is good practice, Captain Chantor," said Christy.
Christy called Captain Chantor to the rail, and explained what the commander had already scented as a mystery in regard to the gentleman with the grizzled beard. He laughed heartily as he gazed at the apparent stranger, and declared that he thought he might be another Confederate commissioner, for he looked respectable and dignified enough to be one.
"Not more than two days; perhaps less time. Do you consent?" "I will consider it, and give you an answer to-morrow morning," replied Captain Chantor. "Won't you take me with you, Mr. Gilfleur?" asked Christy, who was much pleased with the idea of such an excursion. "I should be very happy to have your company, Mr.
They might never meet again in this world, but both of them subdued their emotion, for they were obeying the high and solemn call of duty; both of them were fighting for the right, and the civilian as well as the naval officer felt that it was his duty to lay down his life for his suffering country. Christy mounted the gangway, and was received by Captain Chantor on the quarter-deck.
The Ionian remained at the same relative distance from the Chateaugay, for the captain had given an order to this effect before he turned in. "I am glad to see you, Captain Chantor," said Christy. "Can you explain why the Ionian is headed for the Bermudas, for you have later information than any in my possession?" "I think I can," replied the captain, taking a letter from his pocket.
"Now we will settle this matter with the captain of the Snapper, and I hope to convince him that his vessel is a lawful prize, so far as she can be so declared in advance of the decision of the court," said Captain Chantor. "Come with me, if you please, Mr. Birdwing. For the present, Mr. Passford, will you oblige me by keeping in the shade till I send for you?"
Word Of The Day