Both he and the surgeon were extremely kind to me, and I desire to reciprocate their good offices by inviting them to my father's house." "Where are these gentlemen now, Mr.Passford ?" "I left them on board of the prize at the navy yard, sir.

I am not sure that they will accept parole, for I have not spoken to them about it; but I am very anxious to serve them." "I know what your father would say if he were here, and I will send an officer authorized to take their parole to the navy yard at once.

I will instruct him to represent your desire to them in the strongest terms, and if they accept, to conduct them to Bonnydale, for I know you must be in a hurry to get there," continued Captain Bentwick, as he shook the hands of both officers, and returned to the office.
"That shows what it is to have powerful friends," said Mr.Graines, when his companion had directed the driver to the railroad station.
[Illustration: "Mrs.Passford rushed down the steps." Page 264.] "I have not asked anything unreasonable, Charley," replied Christy, sensitive as usual in regard to influential assistance.
"Certainly not; but if I had asked to have your Confederate friends paroled, a thousand yards of red tape would have to be expended before it could be done," added the engineer with a laugh.
They reached the station, and discharged the carriage; but they found they had to wait two hours for a train to Bonnydale.

As it was after noon, they went to a hotel for dinner, and passed the time very impatiently in waiting for the train.

Both of them were burning with the desire to see their friends at home; but the train started in due time, and they left it at the nearest station to Bonnydale, proceeding there in a carriage.
Christy gave the bell a very vigorous pull, and the servant that came to the door was a stranger to him.