they had remained since they came on board. They
appeared to be examining the steamer to ascertain what damage she had
sustained. Her bulwarks had been torn off, and she had suffered not a
little from shot; but she did not appear to be very seriously damaged.
At the head of the party was one who had a uniform, and dignity enough
to be the commander of the ship.

"Who are those two men forward?" asked this gentleman, as he called the
attention of the others to the two strangers.

No one knew who they were, and the captain continued to advance, looking
very sharply at Christy, or at his uniform. The lieutenant thought he
had seen the gentleman before, for it was quite impossible entirely to
forget one with so much character in his face.

"I am afraid I shall be obliged to call upon you, sir, to explain how
you and your companion happen to be here, for I was not before aware of
your presence."

"I shall cheerfully explain, Captain Carboneer," replied Christy,
recognizing the captain, and bowing politely.

"Ah, you know me? But I have not the pleasure of your acquaintance,
so far as I can remember," added the captain.

"We met under some disadvantages so far as you are concerned, for I had
the satisfaction of seeing you, though you did not see me," replied the
lieutenant, looking very good-natured in spite of his situation as a
prospective prisoner.

"I must beg you to explain still further, Mr.--I have not the pleasure
of knowing your name."

"Passford, sir, Christopher Passford, midshipman in the United States
Navy, and at present third lieutenant of the steamer Bellevite, which
you can hardly make out at this moment, though I remember that you have
seen her before," answered Christy, telling the whole story, as indeed
his uniform had already done, so far as his rank was concerned.

"I am very happy to meet you under present circumstances, Mr. Passford,
though I am not yet informed where I met you before."

"Perhaps you did not exactly meet me, Captain Carboneer; but, at any
rate, we were in the same boat together."

"I suppose we met, if at all, on the Hudson, in connection with the
Bellevite. Your people have not been as fortunate to-day with their
gunnery practice as on that occasion," suggested the captain.

"Now, Captain Carboneer, will you kindly inform me in regard to the
status of this vessel? Is she a naval vessel, or simply a blockade
runner?"

"She is both; and I am sorry for your sake to infor