Sink or burn it if you are captured." "I don't intend to be captured," added Christy with a smile.
"I remember that you were taken by the enemy on one occasion, and misfortunes may come to the best of officers.

You must get ready to sail at once; but you must write your report of your expedition before you leave," added Captain Blowitt, as he rose from his chair, and the trio left the cabin.
Christy gaped several times during the latter part of the interview, for he had not slept a wink during the preceding night.

He went to the ward room and began to write his report, while the Bronx and the Vixen proceeded towards the three vessels which had been captured.

It was well that they did so, for as they approached the Havana and her consorts they discovered quite a fleet of boats coming out from behind the Seahorse Key, evidently intending to recapture the prizes in the absence of the gunboat.

They retired at once as she approached.
Christy was a rapid writer, and his report was soon finished, for the subject was still very fresh in his mind, and he never attempted to do any "fine writing." He had packed his valises, and he took an affectionate farewell of the captain, Flint, and Sampson, as well as the ship's company in a more general way, though he said he expected to be back again in a few weeks.