They even went on board of a couple of them, the detective pretending that he was looking for a passage to some port in the South from which he could reach Mobile, where his brother was in the Confederate army.

No one could doubt that he was a Frenchman, and on one of them the captain spoke French, though very badly.

M.Rubempre's good clothes secured the respect and confidence of those he encountered, and most of the officers freely told him where they were bound, and talked with great gusto of the business in which they were engaged.

But none of them could guarantee him a safe passage to any port on the blockaded coast.
The excursion in the boat was continued, for the visitors had not yet seen the steamer they were the most anxious to examine.

The detective would not inquire about this steamer, fearful that it might be reported by the negro at the oars, and excite suspicion.