ween the authority of the steamer and his brother
absolutely confounded the major, and for a couple of minutes he was
unable to say any thing at all. But Captain Breaker, who was the only
pilot on board, was obliged to leave the ship's guest in order to look
out for the course of the steamer.

It seemed to be useless to attempt to get over the bar where he
had tried to do so; and he directed the vessel towards the main
ship-channel, finding plenty of water to enable him to reach it. But he
would have to run the gauntlet of Fort Morgan, and the chances of a shot
were against him.

"Do you mean to say that Percy is in charge of this steamer, Captain
Breaker?" demanded Major Pierson, who had by this time recovered some
portion of his self-possession.

"That is what both he and I said to you," replied Captain Breaker.

"And the vessel is to be in the service of the Confederate States,"
added Percy, with more pluck than he had displayed before. "If my
brother will not let her pass into the bay, I will go on shore at
Fort Morgan, and explain the situation to the officer in command,"
blustered Percy; and perhaps he would have done just as much under the
circumstances if he had known the vessel was on the other side in the
coming conflict.

"Where are your papers, sir?" asked the major.

"We have no papers; and that is why I am come in charge of the steamer,"
replied the agent, who seemed to be quite able to strain a point when
necessary.

"We met Colonel Richard Pierson in Nassau, and I believe he is your
father and Mr. Percy's," answered Captain Breaker.

"He is; but I can hardly understand how he happened to send my brother
home in charge of this fine steamer," said the major, glancing at his
brother.

"Going into the army is not all the duty a man has to do for his
country," said Percy warmly.

"May I ask where this vessel came from?" inquired the commander of the
fort.

"From New York before she went to Bermuda and Nassau; before that, from
England," replied the commander evasively.

"If you are really in charge of the steamer, Percy, I have nothing more
to say," continued Major Pierson. "Now may I ask who owns her?"

"Captain Horatio Passford, who stands there?"

The officer in command of the fort started back as though he had
received another surprise, greater than before.

CHAPTER XII

HOW THE BELLEVITE PASSED FORT MORGAN

Major Lindley Pierson was plainly very much disturbed when the owne