Everything was overhauled, and put in order.

At eight bells, when Mr.Baskirk took the deck, the captain did not care how soon the battle began.

Everything was ready and waiting, and he went below for his breakfast.
From delicacy or some other motive Captain Dinsmore spent most of his time in the ward room; but he was called to breakfast with the commander.

Both captains were as polite to each other as they had been the evening before, but it was evident to Christy that his guest was quite uneasy, as though he had discovered what had transpired on deck; and the movements there were quite enough to inform him without a word from any one.

He had not asked a question of any person on board; and it was impossible for him to know that a sail supposed to be the Arran was in sight.
"I have heard some firing this morning, Captain Passford," said he as he seated himself at the table, and watched the expression of his host's countenance.
"Merely a couple of signals; the distant shot came from the Ocklockonee," replied Christy lightly.
"I thought it possible that you had fallen in with another steamer," added the guest.
"I have considered it more than possible, and within the limits of probability, that we should fall in with another steamer ever since we ran so opportunely upon the Scotian, as she was formerly called." "Opportunely for you, but very inopportunely for me," added Captain Dinsmore with a faint smile.
"I am happy to inform you that we have passed beyond both possibility and probability, and come into the region of fact," continued Christy.
"Then you have made out a sail ?" asked the guest anxiously.
"We have; a steamer on our port beam; and I am reasonably confident it is the vessel you supposed was coming alongside the Ocklockonee last evening." "Indeed ?" added the guest, as though he did not know just what to say, and did not mean to commit himself.
"In other words, I am almost sure this steamer is the Arran, though doubtless you have changed her name," said Christy, as he helped the other from the choicest dish on the table.
"The Arran ?" repeated Captain Dinsmore, manifesting but not expressing his surprise that his companion in a different service from his own knew this name.
"Perhaps you can give me her later name, as I have no doubt she is or will be called after some southern river, which is quite proper, and entirely patriotic.