After giving his guest, as he regarded him, or rather treated him, a chair in his cabin, Christy called Dave, who had followed him below.
"Will you excuse me a moment or two while I attend to a necessary duty ?" said he, turning to Captain Dinsmore, as he seated himself at the table.
"Certainly, captain; I am not so much in a hurry as I have been at other times," replied the other with a rather sickly smile.
"Keep a sharp lookout for the Arran," Christy wrote on a piece of paper, and handed it to the steward.

"Give that to Mr.Flint." Captain Passford had observed when he visited the deck of the Scotian that she was well armed, and he had no doubt that her consort was similarly provided for the business of war.

It was therefore of the highest importance that the Arran should not come unexpectedly upon the Bronx at a time when she was hardly in condition to meet an enemy.
"Now, Captain Dinsmore, may I trouble you for your papers ?" he continued, turning to his guest, as he preferred to regard him.
"I admit your right to examine them under present circumstances," replied Captain Dinsmore, as he delivered the package to him.
"Perhaps we may simplify and abbreviate this examination to some extent, sir, if you are so disposed," added Christy, as he looked the other full in the face.
"I shall be happy to have you do so, Captain Passford," replied the visitor in the cabin, with something like eagerness in his manner.

"You conduct yourself like a gentleman, sir, and I am not at all disposed to embarrass you unnecessarily." "Thank you, sir; I appreciate your courtesy." "I am afraid it is not so much courtesy as it is desperation, for if I should act in accordance with my feelings, I should blow my brains out without any delay," said Captain Dinsmore.

"I should not say as much as this to any but a generous enemy; but I feel that I am ruined, and that there is nothing more in the future for me." Christy really sympathized with him, and could not help thinking how he should feel if the situations were reversed.