d coal-passers of the steamer were gathered in knots, evidently discussing the sit

yet ready to make use of it. Even the wife and the son of the owner wondered what the mission of the little vessel was t

rd, taking advantage of the momentary pause in the interesting

brother and his family out of the enemy's country," replied the owner, looking with some

inquired the lady. "You have n

peril, and save my brother and his family from privation and trouble in the enemy's count

ng into any danger," ad

all its perils and hardships is before us. Am I a villain, a poltroon, who will d

re," added Mrs. Passford, impressed by

m even more careful than the average of men. But, when I have a duty to perform,

h to understand that,

in my undertaking, though to w

l me how you intend

r and my brother's fam

vite!" exclai

to reach Glenfield," which was the name tha

, and has been for three or four months," said Christy, who had kept himself as thor

e fort is strongly garrisoned, to say nothing of other forts which

the South have been blockaded," said Chri

eat extent yet. But of these matters I have nothing to say yet. The important point now is that I shall go in t

to be sent on shore in the tug a

at I wanted the tug f

er dangers you may incur," said the lady, who had by

nnydale, Julia, where I am sure you can render more service to your country than you could on board of the steamer. All that I

you wish me to do, Ho

at best, and the deck of the steam

take the tug as soon as you a

is handsome face, browned by exposure to the sun on the ocean. "I want to go

dded his father, as he gazed with pride at the face and form of his son, who had thr

it would be as mean and cowardly for me to turn my back to the enemy as it would be

e," added Captain Passford, turnin

her son. It was hard enough to have her husband leave her on

ntry calls upon him to render his time, his comfort, even his life, he has no moral right to put himself, his father, his brot

o go, sir," a

id the mother with a quivering lip. "I shall m

g my absence. As I said before, I think my first duty-a duty committed to me by the Almighty, which takes precedence over all other dut

u are right

suitable vessels at the present time, and offer my services in any capacity in which I c

e, s

ecastle, and see that no one from the tug

n board of the steam-yacht. In a minute more the pipe of the boatswain rang through the vessel, and all hands were m

y, and she had been fully schooled in the lesson of patriotism for such an emergency as the present. She was sad, and many a tear dropped fro

sion, for not a light word was spoken, not a laugh played on any face. They had just learned that the country was in a state of w

Breaker, assisted by the owner. Every one of them had been attached to the steamer for at least a year, and some of them for a longer period. All of them were pe

ces of the kindness of the lady in times of sickness and death, as well as in the brighter days of prosperity and happiness, could be related;

o have been such another collection of officers and seamen. But every one of them had been selected for his moral character, not less than

bitts; and, if the occasion had been less solemn, they would have cheered him, as they we

o describe his mission as indicated to his wife and son. He fully stated the perils of the enterprise, with the fact that his operations would be somewhat i

readiness to go with him wherever he might go, without regard to danger or hardship. One old sheet-anchor man declared

de to convey Mrs. Passford to the shore, thou

orite on board, as Florry had always been; and the ship's company regarded her as a sor

oard to accompany me; and the tug will take on shore all who prefer to leave the vessel, with my best wishe

but not one of them took a step from his place o