I am a boy, and therefore anything that I do is daring, audacious, impudent, imprudent." "I rather think you are right, Mr.Passford, and it is your age more than the results of your actions that is the basis of our judgment," said Captain Blowitt.
"I wish to add seriously, captain, as a friend and not as an officer, I do not claim that the command of this expedition should be given to me because I am first lieutenant of the Bronx, or for any other reason," added Christy with an earnest expression.

"Perhaps it would be better to give the command to the second lieutenant; and if you do so, I assure you, upon my honor, that it will not produce a particle of feeling in my mind.

I shall honor, respect, and love you as I have always, Captain Blowitt." "My dear fellow, you are entirely misunderstanding me," protested the commander, as earnestly as his subordinate had spoken.

"I give you the command of this expedition because I honestly and sincerely believe you are the very best person on board to whom I can commit such a responsibility." "That is enough, captain, and a great deal more than you were under any obligations to say to me; and I shall obey my orders with all the prudence and discretion I can bring to bear upon them," said Christy, taking the captain's offered hand.

"If I fail it will not be because I do not try to be prudent." "There is such a thing as being too prudent, and I hope that nothing which has been said to you by your father or by me will drive you to the other extreme." Though this conversation had at times been very animated, Christy was glad that it had taken place, for it gave him a better insight into his own standing than he had before.