resign the position without your permission," replied Christy without an
instant's hesitation; for he clearly understood what he was doing now,
and neither really nor constructively was he willing to do any thing in
the service of the enemies of the Union.

"But you can't resign in the face of the enemy, Captain Passford; and
you accepted the position which I assigned to you," said the major,
beginning to look a little more serious.

"In the face of the enemy!" exclaimed Christy, glancing at the
Bellevite, as she dashed furiously over the waves at a distance of not
more than a mile from the tug. "May I ask what you mean by the enemy,
Major Pierson?"

"Yon must have heard all the information which was brought to me by
Lieutenant Dallberg; and by this time you are aware that the steamer
yonder is an enemy of the Confederate States," continued the major.

"She did not come into these waters as an enemy, or with any warlike
intentions, sir. She came on a peaceful mission; and now it appears that
my uncle is guilty of treachery towards my father," replied Christy with
deep emotion.

"Do you think it would be right or proper for your uncle to allow that
fine steamer, which I am told is one of the strongest and fastest ever
built, to be handed over to the Yankee navy?" demanded the major, with
energy enough to assure his auditor that he meant all he said.

"I happen to know that my father had several hundred dollars about him
in gold; and my uncle would have done no worse to rob him of that, than
to have his steamer taken from him when it was not engaged in acts of
war. In either case, Homer Passford is a thief and a robber!"

"That's plain speech, young man," said the major, biting his lips.

"I meant it should be plain, sir," said Christy, gasping for breath in
his deep emotion. "I am ashamed of my uncle, and I know that my father
would not be guilty of such treachery."

"I see that it is useless to reason with you, Passford."

"You have come to a correct conclusion. When you call my father's
steamer an enemy, you define my duty for me; and I have nothing further
to do on board of this tug," replied Christy. "I am in your power, and
of course you can do with me as you please."

Major Pierson was certainly very much embarrassed. The events of the
night, and the information obtained on shore, to say nothing of the
specific request from Colonel Passford to "manage the business," imposed
upon him the duty of captur