My friend Pierson gave me some information in regard to this steamer which made me very desirous to get on board of her.

That must explain why I was found here under circumstances somewhat irregular, though a true gentleman can sacrifice himself to the needs of his suffering country." "To what country do you allude, Mr.Percy ?" asked Captain Passford.
"To _our_ country," replied Percy with strong and significant emphasis, as though he were sure that this would cause him to be fully understood.
"Exactly so," added the owner.
"But I see that you are sailing away from Nassau as fast as you can, and I think I had better explain my business as soon as possible," continued Percy, who seemed to be as confident as though he had already accomplished his purpose as hinted at in his conversation with Christy.
"I shall have to ask you to excuse me for a few minutes, for I have a little business with the captain of the steamer and this young man," said Captain Passford.

"The tall gentleman who so gracefully apologized for his seeming rudeness to you will entertain you while I am absent." The owner presented the tall first officer by name to his late victim, and at the same time gave him a look which Mr.Dashington understood to the effect that he was to keep the young man where he was.

With a signal to his son and to the captain, he went below.
"I do not understand this masquerade, Christy," said he, as he seated himself at the cabin table.

"What have you been telling this young fellow ?" Christy had only informed his father that he had been approached by Percy, and that he had, as well as he could, evaded his questions, and he had fooled the young man.