River, and the blockade-runners certainly have their best chance there,"
said Christy.

"The whole attention of the government, so far as blockade-running is
concerned, has been directed to the approaches of Wilmington. Forts
Fisher, Caswell, and Smith afford abundant protection to the light draft
steamers as soon as they get into the shoal water where our gunboats as
a rule cannot follow them. The one thing we need down there is fast
steamers. It is a stormy coast, and our smaller gunboats cannot safely
lie off the coast."

"I have read that a single successful venture in this business sometimes
pays for the steamer many times over."

"That is quite true, and the business prospers, though there are
fifty or more Federal cruisers and gunboats patrolling the shore. Now,
Christy, you are to be sent to this locality with the St. Regis; but you
are to be in the outer circle of blockaders, so to speak, as your sealed
orders will inform you."

"Of course I shall obey my orders, whatever they are," added the
commander.

"I have nothing more to say, and you will regard what has passed between
you and me as entirely confidential," said Captain Passford, as he rose
to leave the library.

"By the way, father, what has become of Monsieur Gilfleur?" asked
Christy. "I have not seen him since my return."

"Just now he is working up a case of treason in Baltimore, though I
expected him home before this time," replied the captain.

"I am sorry I have not seen him, for he and I had become great friends
before we parted. I think he is in some respects a remarkable man."

"In his profession he is unexcelled; and what is more in that line, he
is honest and reliable."

"I learned all that of him while we were operating together. It is said,
and I suppose it is true, that about every one of the blockaders makes a
port at Halifax, the Bermudas, or Nassau, as much to learn the news and
obtain a pilot, as to replenish their coal and stores."

"That is unfortunately true; and the neutrality of these places is
strained to its utmost tension, to say nothing of its manifest
violations."

"I think if Monsieur Gilfleur and myself could make another visit to the
Bermudas and Nassau, we might pick up information enough to insure the
capture of many blockade-runners, and perhaps of an occasional
Confederate cruiser," said Christy, laughing as he spoke.

"That is not the sort of business for a lieutenant-commander in the
navy, my son; bu