Fighting for the Right | Page 7

him by the
official on shore; and then he noticed for the first time an envelope
addressed to him. The commander retired to his cabin to read his
instructions, and Christy went to his stateroom in the ward room to
open the envelope directed to him. As soon as he broke the seal he
realized that his father had done a great deal of writing, and he had no
doubt the paper contained full instructions for him, as well as a history
of the difficult case in which he was to take a part. A paper signed by
the official informed him that he was expected to occupy a sort of
advisory position near the commander of the Chateaugay, though of
course he was in no manner to control him in regard to the management
of the ship.
Christy read his father's letter through. The government was
exceedingly anxious to obtain accurate information in regard to the
state of affairs at Nassau, that hot-bed for blockade-runners. The
Chateaugay was to look out for the Ovidio, whose ultimate destination
was Mobile, where she was to convey the gun-making machinery, and
such other merchandise as the traitorous merchant of New York wished
to send into the Confederacy. The name of this man was given to him,
and it was believed that papers signed by him would be found on board
of the Ionian.
A knock at the door of his room disturbed his examination of the
documents, and he found the commander of the steamer there. After
looking about the ward room, and into the adjoining staterooms, he

came in without ceremony.
"Here is my hand, Mr. Passford," said he, suiting the action to the word.
"I find after reading my instructions that I am expected to consult with
you, and as I have the very highest respect and regard for you after the
brilliant record you have made"--
"Don't you believe that I won my promotion to my present rank
through the influence of my father?" demanded Christy, laughing
pleasantly, as he took the offered hand and warmly pressed it.
"If you did, your father did the very best thing in the world for his
country, and has given it one of the bravest and best officers in the
service," replied Captain Chantor, still wringing the hand of his
passenger. "But I don't believe anything of the kind; and no officer who
knows you, even if he is thirsting for promotion, believes it. I have
heard a great many of higher rank than either of us speak of you, and if
you had been present your ears would have tingled; but I never heard a
single officer of any rank suggest that you owed your rapid
advancement to anything but your professional skill and your
unflinching bravery, as well as to your absolute and hearty devotion to
your country. I rank you in date, Mr. Passford, but I would give a great
deal to have your record written against my name."
"Your praise is exceedingly profuse, Captain Chantor, but I must
believe you are honest, however unworthy I may be of your unstinted
laudation," said Christy with his eyes fixed on the floor, and blushing
like a school-girl.
"I hope and believe there will be no discount on our fellowship. A man
came on board this afternoon, and gives me a letter from the proper
authority, referring me to you in regard to his mission."
Christy decided to see this person at once.
CHAPTER III
THE DEPARTURE OF THE CHATEAUGAY

The commander told Christy that he would probably find the person
who had brought the letter to him in the waist, for he knew nothing of
his quality, position, or anything else about him, and he did not know
where to berth him, though there was room enough in the ward room or
the steerage. He was dressed like a gentleman, and brought two very
handsome valises on board with him.
"For all that, I did not know but that he might be a French cook, a
steward, or something of that sort," added Captain Chantor, laughing.
"He is a man who is said to be a Napoleon in his profession; but I will
tell you all about him after we get under way, for I am in a hurry to
speak with him," replied Christy.
"He is evidently a Frenchman," continued the captain.
"He is; but I never saw him in my life, and know nothing about him
except what I have learned from a long letter my father gave me when I
was coming on board."
"I have been told that you speak French like a native of Paris, Mr.
Passford," suggested the commander.
"Not so bad as that; I have studied the language a great deal under
competent instructors from