nd at the same time gave him a look which Mr. Dashington understood to
the effect that he was to keep the young man where he was. With a signal
to his son and to the captain, he went below.

"I do not understand this masquerade, Christy," said he, as he seated
himself at the cabin table. "What have you been telling this young
fellow?"

Christy had only informed his father that he had been approached by
Percy, and that he had, as well as he could, evaded his questions,
and he had fooled the young man. He then gave the substance of the
conversation at the landing, which amused both the owner and the
commander very much; though he could not recall the Chinese names,
invented on the spot, which he had used.

"All right, Christy. This young man is evidently the son of the
gentleman by the name of Pierson who approached me for the purpose of
purchasing the Bellevite. I went so far as to tell him that the vessel
was for service in Southern waters. At any rate, he inferred that she
was intended for the navy of the Confederate States, and I did not think
it necessary to undeceive him. With this belief, he sought no further to
buy the vessel, and I had no difficulty in shaking him off. It seems
that the same mission absorbs the attention of the son, and that he has
come on board to purchase the steamer."

[Illustration: "Let Me alone, I am a Southern Gentleman" (Page 81)]

"I told him that you wanted to get rid of her, and that you would do so
soon, by which, of course, I meant that she was to go into the service
of the Government," added Christy.

"I should not have taken this young man on board; but, as he is here, he
may be of use to us. But it is necessary to conceal from him the real
character of the Bellevite, and we will keep up the farce as long as we
please. So far as he is concerned, Christy, you may be my nephew instead
of my son."

Captain Passford led the way back to the deck, where they found the
first officer evidently on the best of terms with his prisoner. But Mr.
Dashington had been as discreet as a man could be, and Percy had not
obtained a particle of information from him.

"Now, Mr. Percy, I am at your service," said the owner, when he reached
the deck. "I think you said you had some business with me."

"I have not the pleasure of knowing who or what you are, sir; and Mr.
Dashington and my friend Mr. Pierson are all I know on board by name,"
added Percy.

"Then you must be made better acquainted