Fighting for the Right | Page 9

added Christy, as he touched his naval cap to the commander.
"Allow me to introduce to you my friend Mr. Gilfleur, whom my father
employed in Havre six years ago."
The captain was as polite as the Frenchman, and gave him a hearty
reception. Christy then suggested that his friend should be berthed in
the ward room. The ship's steward was called, and directed to give Mr.
Gilfleur a room next to the other passenger. As they were likely to have
many conferences together in regard to the business on their hands,
they were both particular in regard to the location of their rooms; and
the chief steward suited them as well as he could.
The detective spoke to him in French, but the steward could not
understand a word he said. Christy inquired if any of the ward-room
officers spoke the polite language, for his friend might sometimes wish
to converse in his own tongue.
"I don't believe they do, for they all got into the ward room through the
hawse-hole," replied the steward, laughing at the very idea.
When the passengers went on deck, the commander introduced them
both to the officers of the ship. To each in turn, at the request of Christy,
he put the question as to whether or not he could speak French; and
they all replied promptly in the negative, and laughed at the inquiry.
"Have you no one on board who speaks French, Captain Chantor?"
asked Christy.
"I don't know anything about it, but as it seems to be of some
importance to you and your friend, I will ascertain at once. Mr.
Suppleton, will you overhaul the ship's company, and see if you can
find any one that speaks French," continued the commander, addressing

the chief steward.
In about half an hour he returned, and reported that he was unable to
find a single person who could speak a word of French. Doubtless
many of the officers, who were of higher grade than any on board of
the Chateaugay, were fluent enough in the language, but they were not
to be found in the smaller vessels of the navy; for, whatever their rank
before the war, they had all been advanced to the higher positions.
Every one of the officers on board of this steamer had been the captain
of a vessel, and had been instructed in the profession after the war
began. Though substantially educated, they were not to be compared in
this respect with the original officers.
"We can talk as much as we please of our mission after we get out of
sight of land; and as long as we do it in French, no one will understand
us," said Christy to his fellow-passenger.
"As soon as we are permitted by my orders to do so, I shall have much
to say to you, Mr. Passford," replied Mr. Gilfleur.
"On deck!" shouted a man in the mizzen-top.
"Aloft!" returned Mr. Birdwing, the first lieutenant.
"Signal over the boarding-station, sir!" reported the quartermaster in
the top. "It is a number--'Get under way!'"
The executive officer reported the signal to the commander, though he
was on deck, and had heard the words of the quartermaster.
"Get under way at once, Mr. Birdwing," said the captain.
"Boatswain, all hands up anchor!" said the first lieutenant to this officer;
and in a moment the call rang through the ship.
Every officer and seaman was promptly in his station, for it was a
welcome call. The ship's company were dreaming of prize-money, for
officers had made fabulous sums from this source. In one instance a

lieutenant received for his share nearly forty thousand dollars; and even
an ordinary seaman pocketed seventeen hundred from a single capture.
The Chateaugayans were anxious to engage in this harvest, and in a
hurry to be on their way to the field of fortune.
In a short time the steamer was standing down East River at moderate
speed. The Ionian could not be seen yet, and nothing in regard to her
was known to any one on board except the captain and his two
passengers. As the ship approached the battery, a tug, which Christy
recognized as the one his father had employed, came off and hailed the
Chateaugay. The screw was stopped, and Captain Passford was
discovered at her bow. He waved his hat to his son, saluted the
commander in the same manner, and then passed up an envelope.
The tug sheered off, and the ship continued on her course, with a pilot
at the wheel. The missive from the shore was addressed to Captain
Chantor. He opened it at once, and then ordered one bell to be rung to
stop her. A few moments later a heavy tug came off, and twelve men
were put on board,