"But she is bound to the southward, and her first mission is to intercept an English or French steamer, and put a Confederate commissioner, wishing to get to England, on board of her.

This agent of the South happens to be my uncle." "The brother of Captain Passford ?" "Yes, Captain; and he is provided with funds to purchase two vessels--steamers, to be fitted up as men-of-war." "Then if he is your father's brother, you think, perhaps, that we ought not to molest him," suggested the captain.
"Why, his graceless nephew even considered a scheme to entice him on board of our boat, under pretence of finding a passage to England for him," interposed Mr.Gilfleur, laughing heartily at the suggestion of the commander.
"I believe in treating him like a Christian and a gentleman, for he is both of these; but I do not believe in letting him fill up the Confederate navy with foreign-built steamers, to ruin the commerce of my country," replied the young officer with spirit.

"My father would no more believe in it than I do.

You should treat him, Captain Chantor, exactly as though he was nobody's brother or uncle." The commander clapped his hands as though he was of the same opinion as his passenger, and Christy proceeded with his narrative, describing their visit to the Dornoch and the blockade-runners at St.George's and Hamilton.

The captain was very much amused at his interview in French with Captain Rombold, and his conversations with officers of other vessels they had boarded.