THE SICK CAPTAIN OF THE LEOPARD Christy Passford now realized, for the first time, that he had been taken by the enemy.

War had actually been declared against the Bellevite, and Major Pierson would undertake to perform the duty assigned to him by Colonel Passford.

The young man was determined to be true to his colors under all possible circumstances; and therefore he could do nothing, directly or indirectly, to assist in the capture of the steamer.
Captain Passford, while he recognized the irregularity of his mission, had come into the waters of Mobile Bay with no intention of committing any depredations on the persons, property, or vessels of the Confederacy.

The Bellevite had not fired a shot, or landed a force, in the enemy's country.
Indeed, the owner of the steamer had taken especial pains to conceal any appearance of using force on coming into the bay; and all the guns on the deck of the vessel, that could not be easily lowered into the hold, had been covered up and concealed.

Though Major Pierson had spent some time on board of the Bellevite, he did not know whether or not she was armed.