lady of eighteen; and it was not at all strange that a young Confederate officer should be attracted t

isturbed the owner of the steamer, he desired to change the subject of the conversation, to which Captain P

ard of this steamer," said Percy, when he had told al

Passford; for the commander, when he saw that there was a family ma

ame yet," continued Percy; and when he found that he was talking to a brother of Col

led the Bellevite,"

I did, without an object; for I assure you that I am high-toned enough not to do any thing in an irregular manner unless fo

wish to give them, I will hear all you h

and avoid giving me any information in regard to this steamer, he afterwards informe

the purpose of buying her?"

in a steamer like this one, and he asked me to do what I could to obtain any information in

us in meeting the wi

have patriotism enough to do my duty to my country in the hour

's first duty is to his

ut my father insisted that I could be of more service to the

tand your

I do not yet know who or what he is," said P

tain Passford, glancing at his son, who gave a

, if I could only obtain an interview with the owner," continued Percy, with an inquiring gla

since she was built, and a stronger and mo

I came on board, and learned that you were a brother of our nearest neighbor, I have no dif

Passford, who was certainly reluctant to play a double part before the young

is time for me to say that I did not intend to take passage in the Be

you did inten

soon as I could discover who he was. But I have found you now, Capta

sels jumped at nearly all of his conclusions, giving the captain but little occasion to say any thing that was n

inutes in private, Captain

owner retired with hi

I am better informed in regard to her than my father is. I am not

elf, Mr. Percy," added

tarting back; for he believed that he had accomplish

d when I hinted very guardedly to him, as I do to you, in the strictest confidence, that I am hound for Mobile Bay, he did not ur

her had "taken all the wind out of his sails." He looked in the direction of the receding island of Nassau, and r

y, sir," said he. "That is a long distance from N

ed to your own home in a very short time, for there is no fas

effect of his involuntary speech. "Of course, I wanted to go into the army of my country, as every patriotic fellow in the South does; b

id nothing. He was evidently the youngest child of the family, and doubtless the pet of his parents;

nt to the good cause. I wish I was in New Providence again," co

shore as your father did, and that wo

t me ashore again, for my father will suffer

are a sensible and reasonable young gentleman, and

t above two hours, s

ld delay me about four or five hours,-long enough, perhaps, to defeat the obj

enterprising purchaser of vessels,

ifice the object of my voyage-for the vessel has a special mission at her destination-by a delay of some

" suggested Percy, becoming more and more disconsolate, as he realized the difficul

d, I should not dare to put in there, for the port is a naval station of the United States, and

re right," added

els which had been hurriedly fitted out, even at this early period of the war; for he knew that his mission, however justifiable under the circumst

could put me on board of her," t

th, and I can incur no risks. But it cannot be a great

ill suffer terrible anxiety when he fails

ut I think some way will be f

go into the army, and my fath

ajor in the army, and I should say

o one of the regiments forming in the State. He called

an do nothing for you, Mr, Percy.-Mr. Watts," he called to t

" replied t

ble, and see that he is made as comfortab

st on board was con