On The Blockade | Page 2

37
CHAPTER IV.
A Deaf and Dumb Mystery 48
CHAPTER V.
A Confidential Steward 59
CHAPTER VI.
A Mission up the Foremast 70
CHAPTER VII.
An Interview on the Bridge 81
CHAPTER VIII.
Important Information, if True 92
CHAPTER IX.
A Volunteer Captain's Clerk 103
CHAPTER X.
The Unexpected Orders 114
CHAPTER XI.
Another Reading of the Sealed Orders 125
CHAPTER XII.
A Sail on the Starboard Bow 136
CHAPTER XIII.
The Steamer in the Fog 147
CHAPTER XIV.
The Confederate Steamer Scotian 158
CHAPTER XV.
The Scotian becomes the Ocklockonee 169
CHAPTER XVI.
Captain Passford's Final Orders 180
CHAPTER XVII.
A Couple of Astonished Conspirators 191
CHAPTER XVIII.
A Triangular Action with Great Guns 202
CHAPTER XIX.
On the Deck of the Arran 213
CHAPTER XX.
The New Commander of the Bronx 224
CHAPTER XXI.
An Expedition in the Gulf 235
CHAPTER XXII.
A Night Expedition in the Boats 246
CHAPTER XXIII.
The Visit to a Shore Battery 257
CHAPTER XXIV.
Captain Lonley of the Steamer Havana 268
CHAPTER XXV.
The New Engineer of the Prize Steamer 279
CHAPTER XXVI.
The Battle with the Soldiers 290
CHAPTER XXVII.
The Innocent Captain of the Garrison 301
CHAPTER XXVIII.
The Bearer of Despatches 312
CHAPTER XXIX.
The New Commander of the Vixen 323
CHAPTER XXX.
The Action with a Privateer Steamer 334
CHAPTER XXXI.
A Short Visit to Bonnydale 345

ON THE BLOCKADE
CHAPTER I
THE UNITED STATES STEAMER BRONX
"She is a fine little steamer, father, without the possibility of a doubt," said Lieutenant Passford, who was seated at the table with his father in the captain's cabin on board of the Bronx. "I don't feel quite at home here, and I don't quite like the idea of being taken out of the Bellevite."
"You are not going to sea for the fun of it, my son," replied Captain Passford. "You are not setting out on a yachting excursion, but on the most serious business in the world."
"I know and feel all that, father, but I have spent so many pleasant days, hours, weeks, and months on board of the Bellevite, that I am very sorry to leave her," added Christy Passford, who had put on his new uniform, which was that of master in the United States Navy; and he was as becoming to the uniform as the uniform was to him.
"You cannot well help having some regrets at leaving the Bellevite; but you must remember that your life on board of her was mostly in the capacity of a pleasure-seeker, though you made a good use of your time and of your opportunities for improvement; and that is the reason why you have made such remarkable progress in your present profession."
"I shall miss my friends on board of the Bellevite. I have sailed with all her officers, and Paul Vapoor and I have been cronies for years," continued Christy, with a shade of gloom on his bright face.
"You will probably see them occasionally, and if your life is spared you may again find yourself an officer of the Bellevite. But I think you have no occasion to indulge in any regrets," said Captain Passford, imparting a cheerful expression to his dignified countenance. "Allow me to call your attention to the fact that you are the commander of this fine little steamer. Here you are in your own cabin, and you are still nothing but a boy, hardly eighteen years old."
"If I have not earned my rank, it is not my fault that I have it," answered Christy, hardly knowing whether to be glad or sorry for his rapid advancement. "I have never asked for anything; I did not ask or expect to be promoted. I was satisfied with my rank as a midshipman."
"I did not ask for your promotion, though I could probably have procured for you the rank of master when you entered the navy. I do not like to ask favors for a member of my own family. I have wished you to feel that you were in the service of your country because it needs you, and not for glory or profit."
"And I have tried to feel so, father."
"I think you have felt so, my son; and I am prouder of the fact that you are a disinterested patriot than of the rank you have nobly and bravely won," said Captain Passford, as he took some letters from his pocket, from which he selected one bearing an English postage stamp. "I have a letter from one of my agents in England, which, I think, contains valuable information. I have called the attention of the government to these employes of mine, and they will soon pass from my service to that of the naval department. The information sent me has sometimes been very important."
"I know that myself, for the information that came from that source enabled the Bellevite to capture the Killbright," added Christy.
"The contents of the letter in my hand have been sent to the Secretary of the Navy; but it will do no harm for you to possess the information given to me," continued Captain Passford, as he opened the letter. "But I see a