alled the commander, and
informed him what his son had suggested. Captain Breaker heartily
approved it; for, if it failed, it would leave the steamer in no worse
position than before, with all her chances of running the gauntlet
successfully still open to her.

Christy was the best person on board to manage the details, for he was
the most intimate with the son of the purchaser of vessels. He returned
to that part of the deck where he had left his companion. He found that
Percy was very anxious to see him again, for he had founded a hope on
what had been said before.

"I think we can manage it, Mr. Percy, if you will do just what you are
told to do," Christy began.

"I will do all that to the letter," protested Percy; and a smile
actually lighted up his face at the prospect of escaping the fate to
which his father and mother objected so strongly.

"You see the trouble with the Bellevite is that she has no papers; not
even a letter from the Confederate agent who is picking up vessels for
the navy. But I think we can manage it if you will learn your part
correctly."

"I will do that. Do you think you can really keep my brother from taking
me to the fort?" asked Percy, his tones and manner burdened with
anxiety.

"I feel almost sure of it."

"Good for you!"

"You must go into the cabin now with me. They are just starting up the
steamer again, and she will soon reach the channel where she is going
into the bay."

The owner and the commander were busy in instructing the ship's company
in regard to what would be expected of them as soon as the Bellevite was
in motion again. All the men spoken to smiled as they heard what was
said to them, and they evidently regarded the whole affair as a decided
pleasantry. But they all promised to be very discreet, and to say only
what they had been told to say if they were called on for any
information by Confederate officials.

In the mean time Christy was very busy with his pupil, who entered
heartily into the plan which promised to save him from shouldering a
musket in one of the companies of his brother's regiment. He had been
quite enthusiastic from the first; and, as he was deeply interested in
the result of the adventure, he was a very apt pupil.

As the Bellevite approached the Middle Channel, a tug-boat was
discovered off Fort Gaines, which immediately began to move towards the
approaching steamer. Examined with the glass, a heavy gun was seen on
her forecastle.