She had a crew of eighty men to do her fighting, and the commander confidently expected to pick up a better steamer than the Pedee, to which the greater portion of the ship's company were to be transferred.
"I saw your steamer yesterday afternoon," said the captain; "but she had several other vessels near her, and I thought she might have a whole blockading squadron with her.

I kept off, and put about in the night.
When I saw the Vixen early this morning, I thought she would just answer my purpose, and I wanted her.

A nearer view of her assures me she is exactly the steamer I needed." "For your sake, captain, I am sorry I cannot accommodate you," replied Christy, laughing at the cheerful expressions of Captain Linden.
"I presume you are an officer of the Confederate Navy ?" "No, sir; I am not; but I am a Confederate to the backbone.

It was my intention to set up a navy on my own hook.

The Pedee was the first vessel, and I intended that the Vixen should be the second, and become my flag-ship." "Then you came out as a privateer ?" "That's just the color of it.