A Victorious Union | Page 5

in the rear of both these forts. As
we have lain here for months, I have studied the situation, and I want to
know something more about the land on the east of Mobile Point."
"I should say that it would be easy enough to obtain all the information
you desire in regard to it," suggested Christy.
"There is an unwritten tradition that the commander must not leave his
ship to engage in any duty of an active character, and I cannot explore
the vicinity of the fort myself."
"But you have plenty of officers for such duty."
"I have no doubt there are pickets, and perhaps a camp beyond the
rising ground, and the exploration would be difficult and dangerous.
The two officers I have mentioned before lack the dash and ingenuity
such an enterprise requires; and a blunder might involve me in
difficulty, for I have no orders to obtain the information I desire."
"The officers named are prudent men within reasonable limits."
"They are; but I would give up my idea rather than trust either of them

with this duty," replied Captain Breaker very decidedly. "But I have a
further and nearer object in this exploration; in fact, examining the
ground would be only secondary."
"What is the real object, Captain?" asked the first lieutenant, his
curiosity fully awakened.
"I feel that it will be necessary to use extraordinary efforts to capture
the Trafalgar, for no steamer of her alleged speed has ever run into or
out of Mobile Bay. After I informed the flag-officer in regard to her,
which your father's information enabled me to do, the Bellevite was
especially charged with the duty of capturing her, if she had to chase
her all over the world."
"I have not much doubt that you will do it, Captain."
"I mean to do so if possible. Now these blockade-runners usually
anchor near the lower fleet, or under the guns of the fort in five fathoms
of water. Sometimes they remain there two or three days, waiting for a
favorable opportunity to run out. Perhaps the Trafalgar is there now. I
wish to know about it."
"I infer that you consider me fitted for this duty, Captain Breaker," said
Christy earnestly.
"For that reason only I almost wished you were second or third
lieutenant, rather than first," replied the commander with some
earnestness in his manner.
There was no unwritten tradition that the first lieutenant should not be
sent on any duty.
CHAPTER II
THE DEPARTURE OF THE EXPEDITION
The conversation between the captain and the executive officer of the
Bellevite was continued till they were called to supper; but a decision

had been reached. On important occasions, as when several boats were
ordered upon an expedition, it was not unusual to send the first
lieutenant in command. Though only a single whaleboat would be
required for the enterprise in which the commander was so deeply
interested, its importance appeared to justify the selection of the
executive officer to conduct it; and Christy was directed to suit himself.
Of course the expedition was to be sent out at night, for the cover of the
darkness was necessary to render it effectual. In the afternoon the wind
had come around to the south-west, and already a slight fog had
obscured the Sand Island Lighthouse. It promised to be such a night as
a blockade-runner would select for getting to sea.
Christy was especially warned that the principal business of his
expedition was to obtain information in regard to the Trafalgar, though
it was probable that a new name had been given to her for the service in
which she was to be engaged. The examination of the surroundings of
the fort, the captain strongly impressed upon his mind, was entirely
subsidiary to the discovery of the intending blockade-runner. In fact,
the commander seemed to have serious doubts as to whether it was
proper for him even to reconnoitre without special orders for the use of
the army.
It was several months that Christy had been on board of the Bellevite in
his present capacity, and he had become very well acquainted with all
the petty officers and seamen of the ship's company, now composed of
one hundred and twenty men. After he had finished his supper he
walked about the spar-deck to refresh his memory by a sight at all of
the men, and selected those who were to take part in his enterprise.
One of the first persons he encountered in his promenade was the third
assistant engineer, Charles Graines, whom he had known as a boy,
before the war. He was not only a machinist, but a sailor, having served
in both capacities, though now only twenty-five years of age. Through
his father Christy had procured his appointment as