ucceed for the sake of the South, sir," returned
the young man, firmly.

"For the sake of the South, gentlemen. That is our watchword," cried
Beauregard, standing up and bringing his hand to a salute.

"Have you any preparations to make, Sempland?" asked Lacy, when they
left the office.

"I have a letter to write."

"Very well. I will look after the boat and will meet you on the wharf.
Shall you see Miss Glen before you go?"

"No."

"You must."

"I cannot. What difference does it make to her, anyway? I will be at
the wharf"--he looked at his watch, it was already six o'clock--"in
three-quarters of an hour. Good-by."

The two men shook hands and separated.

"The boat is ready," said Lacy to himself. "I saw to that this
afternoon. There is nothing for me to do there. I wonder--by Jove, I'll
do it!"

A few minutes after he was ushered again into the presence of Miss
Fanny Glen. She had at first pleaded indisposition, but he had insisted
upon seeing her.

"I have something of so much importance to tell you, Miss Glen," he
began, as she entered the room, "that I was forced to override your
desires."

"Is it about the subject that we--I--talked about this afternoon? If
so--"

"It is not. I shall say no more on that score. I had my answer then."

"I am very sorry," continued the girl. "I admire you, respect you,
but--but--I do not--"

"I understand. Never mind that. You said that Sempland had never done
anything to distinguish himself. Well, he's going to do it to-night."

"What is he going to do?" asked the girl, all the listlessness
instantly going out of her manner.

"He is going to take out the _David_."

"Yes?"

"And blow up the _Wabash_."

Her hand went to her heart. Her face turned whiter than the frock she
wore.

"My God!" she whispered, "Admiral Vernon's ship!"

"She loves him! She loves him!" flashed into Lacy's mind, and for the
moment he suffered agonies of jealous pain.

"But," continued the girl, "why should they--"

"In the first place," went on Lacy, "if the venture succeeds, we sink a
noble ship and put out of the way a most determined enemy, and we hope
to let the blockaded cotton ships get to sea."

"But the _David_!" said the girl, who knew the sinister story of the
crazy submarine torpedo boat as did every one in Charleston. "It is
sure death!"

"It is dangerous," said Lacy, softly, "but General Beauregard has
ordered Sempland to keep her on the surface. That ought to