At four o'clock in the afternoon Captain Blowitt opened his envelope in presence of the executive officer.

He looked the paper through before he spoke, and then handed it to Christy, who read it with quite as much interest as the commander had.
"Cedar Keys," said the captain, glancing at his associate.
"That is not a long run from the station," added Christy.

"We are very likely to be there before to-morrow morning." "It is about two hundred and eighty statute miles, I had occasion to ascertain a week ago when something was said about Cedar Keys," replied Captain Blowitt.

"We have been making about fifteen knots, for the Bronx is a flyer, and we ought to be near our destination at about midnight.
That would be an excellent time to arrive if we only had a pilot." "Perhaps we have one," added Christy with a smile.
"Are you a pilot on this coast, Mr.Passford ?" asked the commander, mistaking the smile.
"No, sir, I am not; but I remember a conversation Mr.Flint and I had with Mr.Amblen, who was engaged in some sort of a speculation in Florida when the war came on.

He was so provoked at the treatment he received that he shipped in the navy at once.