A Victorious Union | Page 7

suppose, whether or not the Trafalgar has come
down from Mobile?" inquired Christy.
"I have been unable to obtain any definite information; but a negro who
came off from the shore yesterday assured me there was a black
steamer at anchor between the Middle Ground and Mobile Point. That
is all the information I have been able to obtain, though I have
examined all who came on board during the last week. It is certainly
time for the Trafalgar to come out, as the Confederates are in great
haste to re-enforce the Alabama, the Shenandoah, and other cruisers;
for these vessels have made a tremendous impression upon our
mercantile marine. She has been in port long enough to rebuild her
already, and I am confident she must be ready for service."
"If I don't find her ready to come out to-night, would it not be well to
repeat my visit to the shore until we learn something about her?" asked
Christy.
"That is my purpose," replied the commander.
"I should like to have the scope of my powers as the officer of this
expedition a little more definitely defined, Captain Breaker," continued
the first lieutenant.
"I thought I had fully instructed you, Christy," answered the
commander with a smile.
"Am I to confine myself solely to the two points assigned to me?"
"I don't understand what you have in your mind, my boy."
"I have nothing in my mind, Captain. I have not laid out any plan of
operations outside of the instructions you have given me, sir; and I do
not purpose to do so. If I had the intention to do anything but the duty
assigned to me, I should assuredly inform you of it, and obtain your
orders."

"I know you would, my dear boy."
"But if I see an opportunity to do anything for the benefit of my
country"--
"Such as the capture of a sloop of war," interposed the commander with
a suggestive laugh. "When you were sent to look out for a small
steamer, simply to obtain information in regard to her, in Pensacola
Bay, you went on your mission, and brought out the Teaser, which
afterwards became the Bronx, and rendered very valuable service to the
country under your command."
"I could not very well help doing so when I saw my opportunity,"
replied Christy, in an apologetic tone, as though he had been reproved
for exceeding his instructions.
"You did precisely right, Christy; and that act did more to make the
deservedly high reputation you have won than almost anything else you
have done, unless it was your achievements at Cedar Keys," added
Captain Breaker heartily.
"I am glad you have brought up the Teaser matter, Captain, for it just
illustrates what I have in my mind. If I see an opportunity to do such a
thing as that on the present occasion, I simply wish to know whether or
not I am to confine my operations to the strict letter of my instructions.
Of course, if so instructed, I shall obey my orders to the letter."
"'The letter killeth, the spirit giveth life,' my boy. Your mission always
and everywhere is to serve your country, and you are to do this on the
present occasion. What I said about ingenuity in speaking of my
officers is covered in this case. If you can capture and send out the
Trafalgar, do it by all means, for that is the object in view in sending
off this expedition. Your head is level, Christy; and that is the reason
why I desired you to command this enterprise rather than either of the
other officers. I can trust you, and you have full powers to act on your
own judgment."
"I thank you for your abundant confidence, Captain; and I shall

endeavor not to abuse it," replied Christy. "But it is not even remotely
possible that I shall capture the Trafalgar; yet sometimes unexpected
opportunities are presented, and the letter of my orders might prevent
me from embracing them. I am very glad to know where I stand."
The night came on, and with it more fog; but it was of that flitting kind
which settles down and then blows away. It seemed to come in banks
that were continually in motion. The men who were to go to the shore
had all been instructed, and at precisely ten o'clock they were seated in
the whaleboat, with Mr. Graines in the stern sheets. They were all
armed with two revolvers apiece, and there was a cutlass for each in the
boat. The men had not only changed their dress, but they had disguised
themselves, smooching their faces with coal dust, and tearing their
garments till they were in tatters.
Christy had dressed himself in his old garments,