d not see him then."

"I don't know where he is just now, though he is in or about the house
most of the time," replied the captain. "Are you still in the army,
Corny?"

"No, sir, I am here. I did not like the service very well, and I thought
I should like the navy better. The reason why I did not like it as well
as at first was because I was no longer in Major Pierson's battalion,"
replied Corny, looking at his uncle as though he expected a question
from him.

"Then Major Pierson is no longer in the army?" added the captain.

"Oh, yes, he is; but I think he was the maddest man in the army soon
after you left."

"Indeed! Why was he so mad?"

"Because he was removed from command of Fort Gaines for letting you pass
it in your steamer."

"Then he is still in the service?" asked Captain Passford.

"Yes, sir; he is a good officer, and he will make his way, if he was
guilty of a blunder in letting the Bellevite pass the fort."

"Then you intend to be a sailor, Corny?"

"Yes, sir; in fact, I am a sailor now. I had been in your yacht so
much that I knew something about the ropes, and I had no difficulty in
getting transferred, as sailors were wanted more than soldiers," replied
Corny, who seemed to be studying the figures in the carpet.

"But if you went into the navy, how do you happen to be in New York?"
asked Captain Passford.

"I suppose you remember the Dauphine, which was fitting out when you
were in Mobile Bay?" continued Corny.

"I heard the name, and was told that she was one of the vessels that
tried to prevent the escape of the Bellevite."

"I was sent on board of her; but, in coming out of the bay, she was
captured by a Federal vessel, and sent to New York. I hid myself when
the crew were taken off, and came in her here," replied Corny, still
studying the carpet.

Captain Passford had not heard of the capture of the Dauphine. He was
not quite satisfied with the story of his nephew. But he was obliged to
go to the city, and he handed the guest over to his wife and daughter.
Corny wanted to see Christy, and Mrs. Passford had begun to be uneasy
that he did not return at dark. Corny went out to find him.

CHAPTER II

A DIFFERENCE OF OPINION

The Bellevite lay in the river, off the estate of Captain Passford,
though at a little distance below the mansion, from the windows of which
she could not be seen. Corny walked down the avenue and over the hill,
in the direction of the anchorage of th