"Of course I knew that you were near, for you have given abundant proofs of your presence on board of this vessel." "But we meet now as friends, and not as enemies.

I know that you have done your duty to your country as you understand it, and I have done the same," continued the commander, still holding the hand of the colonel.
"You have been very kind to Captain Rombold, Gill informs me, and"-- "He set the example for me, and I have striven to follow it," interposed the captain.

"But his generosity was first exercised in behalf of your nephew, Christy." "The steward informed me that Christy had been wounded; and Captain Rombold assured me that the Tallahatchie was captured in consequence of a very daring act on the part of my nephew," added the planter.
"I should not state it quite so strongly as that, though his action certainly enabled us to capture the ship sooner, and with less loss on our part than would otherwise have been the case.

As to the ultimate result of the battle, Captain Rombold and myself would disagree.

But with your assent, Colonel Passford, I think we had better cease to discuss the action, which is now an event of the past.