This was an original scheme of Captain Rombold; and but for the coolness and deliberation of Captain Breaker, and the daring of his chief officer, it must have been a terrible success.

As it was, the Confederate commander, who was the only foreign officer on board, "had been hoisted by his own petard." Christy had done all that required his attention on board of the Bellevite, and he paid another visit to the deck of the Tallahatchie, where he desired to obtain some information which would enable him the better to understand the action which had just been fought.

He was especially anxious to ascertain the condition of the Armstrong gun which had been disabled by the first shot of Blumenhoff with the midship Parrot.

As he went on deck, he saw Captain Rombold, seated in an arm-chair his cabin steward had brought up for him, with his right leg resting on a camp stool.
"Good-morning, Mr.Passford," said the wounded commander, with a slight smile on his pale face.

"_Comment allez-vous ce matin ?_" (How do you do this morning ?) "_Tres bien, Monsieur le capitaine.