But neither of them shed any tears, for both felt that they were called upon to discharge their duty to their country.
Captain Breaker had always trained his officers and seamen to perform their duty in conformity with the discipline of the navy so far as it was practicable to do so, and consequently his ship's company were very nearly at home from the beginning of the voyage.

He had received his sealed orders, and at noon the Bellevite went down the bay on her mission to the South, though no one on board knew where the ship was bound.

The crew had been re-enforced by as many men as she had usually carried, and the first day was a very busy one in putting everything in order.

Christy had handed the letter his father had given him to the captain, and after dinner he spoke of it.
"Did you read this letter, Mr.Passford ?" asked the captain.
"I did, sir; my father told me to read it," replied Christy.
"It appears that a very fast steamer loaded with a valuable cargo sailed from Belfast eleven days ago, clearing for the Bermudas.

We shall all be very happy to pay our respects to her; but I can say nothing till I have opened my orders to-morrow," said Captain Breaker.
"If she sailed eleven days ago from Belfast, she ought to be well up with the Bermudas, if she is as fast as represented, sir," added Christy, hoping the orders would permit the Bellevite to look out for the Killbright, as she was called.
The next day, as the observations indicated the latitude in which the sealed orders were to be opened, the seal of the official envelope was broken.