I am better fitted for a sailor than I am for a soldier." "The first thing is to wipe out the disgrace you have cast upon yourself and your family," added the major warmly.

"I induced your officers to look upon it as a freak of a boy, and by returning to your duty you can soon wipe out the stigma." "I shall not become a common soldier if I can help it.

My father and mother will stand by me, if the rest of you do not," said Percy.
"That's enough; and you will go back to the army, whether or not you are willing," added the major, as he turned on his heel.
Christy followed him to the forecastle of the tug, where a rather heavy gun was mounted, which took up most of the space.
"Take a seat, Mr.Passford," said the major, giving him a stool, while he took another himself.

"It looks as though your father changed his plans rather suddenly last evening." "I was not aware of it," replied Christy.
"The Bellevite was taken from the wharf where you landed some time in the evening, and came out into the bay, where she seems to be waiting for something, I don't know what.

As I understand the matter, your father has sold the steamer to the Confederacy." "Where did you learn that, Major Pierson ?" asked Christy, who had not heard any such story.
"You certainly came from Nassau ?" "We did." "And you met my father there ?" "I did not meet him, but my father did." "I understood that my father bought this steamer, or that he bargained for her in some manner, for the use of the Confederacy." "I was not present at the interview between your father and mine, and I do not know just what passed between them." "And I understood that he sent Percy to act as a sort of agent for the delivery of the vessel; though it still puzzles me to comprehend how my father should do such a thing, especially when he knew that the boy would be arrested as a deserter if he showed his face anywhere near Mobile." Christy felt that his tongue might be a dangerous member, and he was not disposed to talk about the matter at all.