n his being.

"If there is to be a war for the Union, I am a Union man, or boy, as you
like; and it would be as mean and cowardly for me to turn my back to the
enemy as it would be for you to do so, sir," replied Christy, his chest
heaving with patriotic emotion.

"I am willing you should go with me," added Captain Passford, turning
from the young man to his mother.

There was a tear in the eyes of the lady as she looked upon her son. It
was hard enough to have her husband leave her on such a mission: it was
doubly so to have Christy go with him.

"Christy might be of great service to me," said his father. "I look upon
this war as a very solemn event; and when a man's country calls upon him
to render his time, his comfort, even his life, he has no moral right to
put himself, his father, his brother, or his son in a safe place, and
leave mere hirelings, the thoughtless, reckless adventurers, to fight
his battle for him."

"I am ready to go, sir," added Christy.

"He may go with you, if you think it best," said the mother with a
quivering lip. "I shall miss him, but I am sure you would miss him
more."

"My first mission is hardly in the service of my country; at least, it
is not directly so, though I hope to be of some use to her during my
absence. As I said before, I think my first duty--a duty committed to
me by the Almighty, which takes precedence over all other duties--is,
within reasonable limits, to my own family. I will not spare myself or
my son, but I must save Florry and my brother's family."

"I think you are right, Horatio."

"On my return I shall present the Bellevite to the Government, which
is in sore need of suitable vessels at the present time, and offer my
services in any capacity in which I can be useful," continued Captain
Passford. "Captain Breaker," he called to the commander.

"Here, sir."

"Pipe the entire ship's company on the forecastle, and see that no one
from the tug is near enough to hear what is said there."

Captain Breaker had formerly been a lieutenant in the navy, and the
forms and discipline of a man-of-war prevailed on board of the
steam-yacht. In a minute more the pipe of the boatswain rang through
the vessel, and all hands were mustered on the forecastle. The tug was
made fast on the quarter of the steamer, and no one from her had come
on board.

Captain Passford and Christy walked forward, leaving the lady with her
own thoughts. She was a daughter of a distinguished