the weather had been clear all day, with quite a fresh breeze, and the same conditions prevailed after dark. colonel passford seemed to have a great deal to say to captain lonley, now that the time for sailing had come, and he occupied the attention of the latter so that neither of them could observe the new mate, if he were disposed to do so. as soon as christy perceived the rôle which circumstances had laid out for him, he put his hand into a slush-tub he found in the waist, and anointed his face with the filthy stuff. there was just color enough in the compound of grease and dirt to change his complexion, if it had been light enough to observe his physiognomy. flint did the same thing.
"you will have to take your chances when you come to the entrance of the bay," said colonel passford, nervously. "this cargo is worth a fortune, 334 and we are in sore need of the supplies which its value will purchase for us."
"i think i understand the matter perfectly, colonel," replied lonley, who did not seem to take kindly to any advice from a landsman.
"do not take any unnecessary risks, captain lonley, for more than the value of the cotton is at stake," continued the planter.
"i have a plan of my own which i am confident will take me through the blockade all right," added the captain.
"you must remember that my brother's steamer is on the blockade, and that she makes over twenty knots an hour."
"i shall pretend to be a prize of the bellevite long enough to distract the attention of the fleet," added lonley, impatiently.
"i don't understand these things, and i shall leave you to manage the affair as you think best; but i beg you will use all proper caution," continued colonel passford. "here are the ship's papers. you will give the one on the top to the officer from the fort, and he will cause you no delay."
lonley took the papers, and thrust them into 335 his pocket without any reply. christy had taken charge of the hoisting of the mainsail without waiting for any special orders, and flint was doing his best to assist him. the negroes, though not expert seamen, knew the ropes of a schooner, and they did very well with flint in their midst.
"we are going to have a fresh breeze, fetters," said captain lonley, as the new mate came near him.
"it looks like it now," added christy, changing his voice as much as he could, and as he had done before when he spoke to the captain.
"if things are not favorable when you get to the forte, i think you had better anchor inside of the point," suggested the planter, who could not be blamed for being deeply interested in the fate of his cotton, and the fortune which was locked up in it.
"of course, i shall have to do that if necessary; but i don't like to do that, for every blockader will watch her all the time if i do," replied captain lonley, still maintaining his respectful demeanor, though it seemed to be hard work.
by this time the mainsail was set, and was banging in the lively breeze. the negro sailors seemed 336 to have become weary with wasting the day in the sailing of the schooner, and they worked with a good deal of enthusiasm.
"now set the foresail, fetters. i don't think we can carry the topsails," said the captain. "isn't that a white man with the hands?" asked he, as the men went to the foremast.
"that's a man i brought along with me," replied christy. "he is an able seaman, and he is very anxious to get to some port outside where he can obtain a berth as mate."
"all right; i thought the work was going on exceedingly well, and his presence explains it," added the captain.
"he owns the boat in which we came over here, and i think we had better hoist it on deck," said the mate.
"all right; do so, fetters. i suppose you have nothing on your hands?"
"nothing very particular," replied christy.
"i am instructed to buy a fast steamer if i can find one, even if i have to go to england to obtain her. what do you say to taking the berth of first officer in her, fetters, for i know that you are a sailor, and that you have pluck enough to fire a gun?"
337 "such a position would suit me first rate," replied christy, with proper enthusiasm.
still lonley did not recognize his voice, and he took especial pains that he should not. but this state of things could not long continue. if the unionist went into the cabin where there was a light, he could not help betraying himself. it was necessary to provide against this or any similar emergency very soon. he had already arranged his plan, and it was his purpose to carry it into execution as soon as the vessel was fully clear of the creek.
the boat was hoisted on the deck; the fore and main sail were set, and everything was in readiness for a departure. colonel passford, after repeating some of his admonition to the captain, shook hands with him, and stepped down upon the wharf. lonley gave the order to stand by the jib, and cast off the fasts. the two principal sails filled on the starboard tack, the jib went up in the twinkling of an eye under the direction of flint, and the schooner began to gather headway. the captain was at the helm, for he would trust no other there, and christy went forward.
"set the fore topmast staysail," said the mate; 338 but he was willing the crew should execute the order in their own way, for he called the master's mate to him. "the biggest job is yet to be done," he added, in a low tone.
"what is that?" asked flint.
"to get possession of the vessel," replied christy, impressively.
"that will be an easy matter, with nothing but niggers on board," added flint.
they talked together for a few minutes, and the plan was arranged. flint saw that the fore topmast staysail was properly set and trimmed. the two unionists on board did not even know the name of the schooner, but she gathered headway as she approached the mouth of the creek, and went along at a very satisfactory rate. the mate of the vessel and his fellow fugitive then went aft to be ready for the decisive action in which they were to engage. but they had hardly reached the quarter-deck before the schooner was hailed by a boat.
"schooner, ahoy! on board the judith!" shouted a man.
"in the boat!" replied the captain. "who's there?"
339 "fetters!" responded the boatman.
"fetters!" exclaimed captain lonley, apparently bewildered by the reply. "it seems to me that fetterses are plenty to-night."
but this was all he was permitted to say, for the stroke of a handspike, in the hands of flint, fell upon his head at this instant, and he dropped upon the quarter-deck like a log. at the same moment, christy sprang to the wheel, and the schooner was not allowed to broach to. she dashed on her course, increasing her speed every moment, without heeding the boat that had hailed her. in the darkness, the genuine fetters, as doubtless he was in the boat, could not have seen in what manner captain lonley had been disposed of, and all the crew were forward, so that they were no wiser.
"judith, ahoy!" repeated the genuine and only true fetters, at the top of his lungs, as the schooner hurried off on her course. "i am fetters, the mate!"
"all right!" replied christy. "i will see you in the morning. come on board at six o'clock."
mr. fetters said no more, and probably he concluded that the judith had gone to get firewood 340 for the galley, to fill her water-casks, or for some similar purpose. the fictitious mr. fetters kept his place at the wheel. the binnacle had been lighted by the cook, and he knew the exact course for the entrance to the bay. he felt that he was in possession of the judith and her valuable cargo; and he had become so hardened in his patriotic duty that he felt no compunction of conscience because the vessel and cotton had been wrested from his uncle.
as colonel passford had not scrupled to attempt to capture the magnificent steamer of his own brother, it would be a poor rule that would not work both ways. besides, the proceeds of the sale of the cargo were to be expended in the purchase of supplies, and a steamer to carry them, for the use of the confederacy. his uncle, from his elevated standpoint of duty, would have an opportunity to consider the application of his stringent views on the other side of the question.
"i hope he is not dead," said christy, as flint bent over the prostrate form of the captain.
"i don't know; but i am going to take him below, and lock him up in his stateroom, where the crew will not see him," replied flint.
341 "that is right; and i would help you if i could leave the wheel long enough," replied christy.
"i can handle him alone; but see that none of the sailors come aft while i am about it," added the master's mate, as he dragged the form to the companion-way.
in such a work as he had on his hands, he had the strength of two men. without any great difficulty, he dragged the body to the cabin, and then into one of the two staterooms he found, which was lighted. it was a more difficult task, for lonley was a heavy man, but he placed the form in the berth. his first duty was to examine very carefully the pockets of the captain. he secured the file of papers first, and then drew a large naval revolver from each of his hip pockets. then he took his papers from his pocket-book, but left his money, watch, and other valuables where he found them.
after a careful examination of the insensible form, he was satisfied that he was not dead, though he might yet die from the blow he had received. he locked the door of the room, and went on deck. he gave one of the revolvers to christy, and 342 retained the other, handing over to him also all the papers he had taken.
"this is the biggest venture we have undertaken yet," said flint, as he seated himself by christy.
"but everything has gone well so far," replied the lieutenant. "if you are not promoted for this and the teaser affair, flint, it shall not be for the want of any recommendation on my part."
"thank you, mr. passford; you are very kind. i hope your services will be recognized in the same manner," returned the master's mate.
"i don't care so much for myself, and i should not cry if i were never to become anything more than a midshipman."
"all i have done has been to obey your orders, and follow your lead; and if anybody is promoted for the two affairs in which we have been engaged, you are surely the one who is entitled to it."
"well, we will do our duty, whether we are promoted or not," added christy.
it was not more than nine o'clock in the evening when the judith came out of the creek, and in about four hours she was approaching fort morgan. she was still within the enemy's lines, 343 and her acting captain was disposed to do everything in a regular manner, especially as he had the means of doing so. he had not the same risk to run in getting through the blockading fleet that captain lonley would have had, and he promptly decided to take his chances without waiting for a dark and foggy night. a boat came off from the inner side of the fort, and christy ordered flint to bring her to.
the permit to pass the forts was in due form, and signed by the proper officials. the officer in the boat examined it carefully by the light of a lantern, and declared that he was satisfied with it. then he asked some questions, which the acting commander of the judith answered. the toughest inquiry he made was as to how he expected to get through the blockaders in a clear night like that. christy assured him that he had a plan which he was confident would carry him through without difficulty.
the schooner filled away again, and passed through the main channel; and in another hour she was in the midst of the union fleet. there was a rattling of drums, a hissing of steam, and energetic commands heard as soon as the judith 344 was made out in the darkness, and doubtless a vision of prize-money flitted through the brains of officers and seamen. but christy soon impaired the vividness of these fancies by ordering the foresail of the schooner to be taken in, and then the fore topmast staysail. the expectant ships' companies were not willing to believe that the vessel had come out for the purpose of surrendering.
"schooner, ahoy!" shouted the officer of a boat sent off by the nearest blockader. "what vessel is that?"
"the judith, prize to the united states steamer bellevite," replied christy, "kindly inform me where the bellevite lies."
in another half-hour, christy had dropped his anchor a cable's length from the bellevite. instructing flint to ascertain the condition of lonley, the lieutenant went on board of her to make his report, using the boat they had captured at mobile, pulled by two of the negroes.
"i have come on board, captain breaker," said christy, as he met the commander, who had come on deck at the alarm.
"i see you have," replied the captain, grasping him by the hand. "i have been terribly worried about you, christy."
345 "i am all right, sir; and so is mr. flint, who was with me. we have brought off a schooner of two hundred tons, loaded with cotton," continued christy, as modestly as the circumstances would permit.
"i am very anxious to hear your report, mr. passford," said the commander.
"excuse me, sir, but the captain of that schooner is badly wounded, and needs dr. linscott as soon as possible."
the surgeon was sent on board of the judith. as paul vapoor caught a sight of the returned third lieutenant, he hugged him as though he had been separated from him for years instead of a few days. his welcome was quite as cordial, though not as demonstrative, from the rest of the officers. then he went to the cabin with the captain, where he reported all that had transpired since he had been separated from his companions on board of the teaser. he was warmly commended for his bravery and skill, and captain breaker assured him that he should be remembered in the reports to the department.
captain lonley was conveyed on board of the bellevite, where he was committed to the sick bay. 346 he had recovered his senses, but it was likely, the surgeon said, that it would be a month before his health was restored. the teaser had not yet been sent away; but the next day the third lieutenant was appointed prize-master of the steamer, and flint of the schooner, for he had been the master of a coaster, and was competent for the position.
a considerable crew was put on board of the teaser, and both vessels were sent to new york instead of key west. the steamer was expected to tow the judith when necessary, and defend her if she was attacked. but both arrived at their destination without any mishap, and both were condemned; the teaser was purchased by the government, for she was likely to be a very useful vessel on account of her speed and light draught.
christy had a brief leave of absence after he had served as a witness against the captured vessels. he had seen his father, mother, and sister on his arrival, and they were as proud of him as though he had been made a rear-admiral. captain breaker had written to his father of his disappearance on santa rosa island, and had no doubt he had been made a prisoner within the enemy's lines. christy brought the news of his escape 347 himself, which made him even doubly welcome at bonnydale. certainly the young lieutenant had never been so happy before in his life.
captain passford was a man of great influence, though he held no position in authority. at the first opportunity he obtained to talk with him, christy made a strong plea in favor of the promotion of flint. the late owner of the bellevite knew him well. the master's mate had been a schoolmaster, and was very well educated; but he had a taste for the sea. he had made several foreign voyages, and had bought a schooner then, of which he went as master. but he had sold his vessel to great advantage, and, having nothing to do, he shipped as third officer of the bellevite.
sampson, who had come home as chief engineer of the teaser, was also remembered by christy, who interceded for his promotion, or rather appointment. the government promptly obtained possession from the court of the prize-steamer, and the repairs and alterations upon her were begun at once. she had proved herself to be a fast sailer, and had logged sixteen knots, so that much was expected of her.
captain passford, after his son had pleaded so 348 earnestly for the promotion of the master's mate and the fireman, asked christy what he expected in the way of promotion for himself. the young officer did not ask for any promotion, he was abundantly satisfied with his present rank, and he rather preferred to retain it. his father laughed, and declared that he was very glad of it, for he had some delicacy in asking favors for a member of his own family.
corny still remained at the house of his uncle; and he was as thoroughbred a rebel as his father, though he said next to nothing about his "cause." at a later period both he and major pierson were duly exchanged; but the gallant officer had come to the conclusion that miss florry passford was very far from being infatuated with him.
as the bronx, which was the name given to the teaser at the suggestion of captain passford, was to be ready about as soon as the legal proceedings would permit of the departure of the officers and seamen of the bellevite, they were ordered to return to their ship in her. flint's commission as a master, and sampson's as an assistant engineer, were received. christy's companion in the night expeditions had not expected to be anything more 349 than a midshipman, and he was immeasurably delighted at his good fortune. then it appeared that other influences than that of captain passford had been employed, for christy, almost in spite of himself, was promoted to the rank of master, his commission antedating that of flint.
mr. blowitt was appointed to the command of the bronx, with master passford as first lieutenant, and master flint as second; and christy was to take her to the gulf. she was to be used at the discretion of the flag officer after she had delivered her passengers on board of the bellevite, and received her new commander.
the bronx was soon ready for sea with her new ship's company, and sailed for her destination, where christy was to make some further inquiries into operations on the blockade.
