ercy Pierson, for I think you can
assist me in the object I have in view," said the first officer's
victim, looking now as though he was entirely satisfied with himself.

"What do you mean by calling each other by the same name?" inquired
Captain Breaker, somewhat astonished at this phase of the conversation.

"That is the most astonishing thing in the world, that my friend here
should have the same name I have; and he even thought I was playing
a game upon him when I told him what my name was," replied Percy,
laughing, and apparently somewhat inflated to find a friend on board.

"Precisely so," interposed Captain Passford, before the commander had
time to say any thing more about the name. "But, as you both have the
same name, it will be necessary to distinguish you in some manner, or it
may make confusion while you remain on board."

"I see the point, sir, though I do not expect to remain on board for any
great length of time; or possibly you may not," answered Percy.

"Then, I suggest that you be called simply Percy, for that is a noble
name; and the other young man shall be addressed as Pierson. By doing
this we shall not sacrifice either of you," continued the owner, who did
not understand what his son had been doing.

"I have not the slightest objection. My friend Pierson gave me some
information in regard to this steamer which made me very desirous to
get on board of her. That must explain why I was found here under
circumstances somewhat irregular, though a true gentleman can sacrifice
himself to the needs of his suffering country."

"To what country do you allude, Mr. Percy?" asked Captain Passford.

"To _our_ country," replied Percy with strong and significant emphasis,
as though he were sure that this would cause him to be fully understood.

"Exactly so," added the owner.

"But I see that you are sailing away from Nassau as fast as you can, and
I think I had better explain my business as soon as possible," continued
Percy, who seemed to be as confident as though he had already
accomplished his purpose as hinted at in his conversation with Christy.

"I shall have to ask you to excuse me for a few minutes, for I have a
little business with the captain of the steamer and this young man,"
said Captain Passford. "The tall gentleman who so gracefully apologized
for his seeming rudeness to you will entertain you while I am absent."

The owner presented the tall first officer by name to his late victim,
a