Within The Enemys Lines | Page 9

I have nothing more to
say, Mulgate," said he.
"I renounce my scheme, and I will not ask that the lady be a passenger
even to Bermuda or Nassau," replied Mulgate, though not without a
considerable display of emotion.
"Very well; that is enough. Nothing more need be said about your
purpose, since you have renounced it. Now we will visit the Bellevite,

and learn what we can in regard to her," said the naval officer, in his
usual quiet manner, and whether he was a Confederate or a Unionist,
one could hardly have failed to be impressed by his dignified
deportment.
At the request of Captain Carboneer, Mulgate climbed to the forward
deck of the Florence. She was twenty-eight feet long, and her deck
covered more than half of her length. She had a very large cabin for a
boat of her size, which was fitted up with berths, with a cook-room
forward of it, for Christy Passford was often absent a week in her.
"I think Corny had better go back to the house, and keep an eye on
Christy, so as to make sure that he does not disturb us," suggested
Mulgate, as the planter's son was about to go on board of the yacht.
"I think we shall want him, and he had better be with us," replied the
captain, as one would speak when he expected to be obeyed.
Corny climbed up the stem of the Florence. He had never seen the
captain before, and had not even been informed who and what he was;
but he appeared to be a more important person than Mulgate, and he
did not wait for the latter to argue his point. He had sailed in the
Florence very often, and he knew all about her. He took a boathook,
and planted its point on the beach, in readiness to shove off.
"Not yet, Corny," said the naval officer, as he sprang lightly to the deck
of the sailboat. "Let us see where we are before we do anything."
Captain Carboneer seated himself on one of the cushioned seats in the
standing-room, and looked about him. A steamer towing a multitude of
canal boats was approaching, and he waited for it to pass. Then no
steamer or other craft was to be seen on the river.
"So far as I have been able to discover, there are only two men on
board of the Bellevite, and I think we have not a moment to lose," said
the naval officer, when he saw that the river was clear of everything
that might interfere with his plans. "But we must go on board of her,
and make sure of everything before we commit ourselves."

"As you said, Captain Carboneer, I am no sailor; and you don't think of
taking the steamer out of the river alone?" added Mulgate.
"I have not come here on a fool's errand, Major Pierson," replied the
captain. "We are alone now, and we may call things by their right
names."
"But I don't care to have my name used in this vicinity," interposed this
gentleman, when addressed by his own name.
"Your wish in this respect shall be respected, Mr. Mulgate. I was about
to say that I had a ship's company all ready to take possession of this
craft, to handle her at sea, and even to fight a battle if necessary."
"But where are your ship's company?" asked Mulgate, as he wished
still to be called.
"I will produce them at the right time. Now you may shove her off,
Corny," added the captain, as he took the wheel.
CHAPTER IV
CORNY PASSFORD PLAYS ANOTHER
PART
Captain Carboneer brought the Florence about, and headed her across
the
river. The Bellevite was moored a short distance from the estate down
the stream.
"I have been up here before to-day," said the naval officer, as the boat
moved away from the shore, assuring him that no one could be near
enough to hear what he said.
"We only reached New York yesterday, and I don't see how you can
have picked up a ship's company in that time," replied Mulgate.

"I sent the men before I came myself. I have stationed them in various
places on the river, where I can get them when I want them; and I shall
want them before the sun rises to-morrow morning," replied the
captain.
"To-night!" exclaimed Mulgate, who seemed to be astounded at the
revelation.
"Yes, to-night; in a few hours from now. I have obtained all the
information I could in regard to the steamer, and what we do must be
done at once. The Bellevite, as they call her now, has not yet been
handed over to the government, though she has been accepted. They are
waiting for something, though