Fighting for the Right | Page 5

New
York, father?" asked Christy.
"She is to run the blockade with a cargo consisting in part of American
goods."
Captain Passford took a file of papers from his pocket.
CHAPTER II
A COMPLICATED CASE
Captain Passford looked over his papers for a moment; but it was soon
evident from his manner that he had secrets which he would not intrust
even to his son, unless it was necessary to do so. He seemed to be
armed with documentary evidence upon which to act, but he did not
read any of his papers, and soon returned them to his pocket.
"The American goods of which I speak are certain pieces of machinery
to be used in the manufacture of arms," continued the captain. "They
cannot be obtained in England, and the traitors have decided to send

them direct, rather than across the ocean in the first instance. These will
form the principal and most important part of the cargo of a steamer
now loaded, though she will carry other goods, such as the enemy need
most at the present time."
"I did not suppose any Americans were wicked enough to engage in
such an enterprise for the sake of making money," said Christy
indignantly.
"The steamer of which you speak is already loaded, is she?" asked
Captain Chantor.
"She is; and now I wish both of you to go with me, and I will point out
the vessel to you, and you must mark her so well that you can identify
her when occasion requires."
The trio left the house and took the train together. They went to New
York, and in an out-of-the-way locality they went down to a wharf; but
there was no steamer or vessel of any kind there, and the pier was
falling to pieces from decay. Captain Passford stopped short, and
seemed to be confounded when he found the dock was not occupied.
"I am afraid we are too late, and that the steamer has sailed on her
mission of destruction," said he, almost overcome by the discovery.
"She was here last night, and was watched till this morning. She has
already cleared, bound to Wilmington, Delaware, with a cargo of old
iron."
"Do you know her name, Captain Passford?" asked the commander of
the Chateaugay.
"She was a screw steamer of about six hundred tons, and was called the
Ionian, but she is American."
It was useless to remain there any longer, for the steamer certainly was
not there. Captain Passford hailed a passing-tug-boat, and they were
taken on board. The master of the boat was instructed to steam down
the East River, and the party examined every steamer at anchor or

under way. The tug had nearly reached the Battery before the leader of
the trio saw any vessel that looked like the Ionian. The tug went around
this craft, for she resembled the one which had been in the dock, and
the name indicated was found on her stern.
"I breathe easier, for I was afraid she had given us the slip," said
Captain Passford. "She is evidently all ready to sail."
"The Chateaugay is in commission, and ready to sail at a moment's
notice," added her commander.
"But you are not ready to leave at once, Christy," suggested Captain
Passford, with some anxiety in his expression.
"Yes, I am, father; I put my valises on board yesterday, and when
mother and Florry went down to Mr. Pembroke's I bade them both
good-by, for after I have waited so long for my passage, I felt that the
call would come in a hurry," replied Christy. "I am all ready to go on
board of the Chateaugay at this moment."
"And so am I," added Captain Chantor.
"But I am not ready with your orders in full, though they are duly
signed," said Captain Passford. "I will put you on shore at the foot of
Atlantic Avenue in Brooklyn, Captain Chantor, and you will hasten to
your ship, get up steam, and move down to this vicinity. I will put my
son on board as soon as I can have your papers completed."
The order necessary to carry out this procedure was given to the captain
of the tug, and the commander of the Chateaugay was landed at the
place indicated. The tug started for the other side of the river.
"It seems to me this is very strange business, father," said Christy, as he
and his father seated themselves at the stern of the boat.
"Traitors do not work in the daylight, my son, as you have learned
before this time," replied Captain Passford.

"If you know the men who are engaged in supplying the enemy with
machinery, why do you not have them arrested and put in Fort
Lafayette?" asked Christy, in a very