"We had a rebel in the house here at one time, you remember, and it is not quite prudent just now to explain the contents of the letters." "All right, father; but I suppose you will read them to me before I sail for the South." "I will talk to you about it another time," added the captain, as a knock was heard at the door.

"Come in!" It was the man-servant of the house, and he brought in a tray on which there was a card, which Captain Passford took.
"Captain Wilford Chantor," the captain read from the card.

"Show him in, Gates.

Lieutenant Chantor is appointed to the command of the Chateaugay, Christy, in which you take passage to the Gulf; but she will not go there directly." "Captain Chantor," said Gates, as he opened the door for the visitor.
"I am happy to see you, Captain Chantor, though I have not had the pleasure of meeting you before," said the captain, as he rose from his chair, and bowed to the gentleman, who was in the uniform of a lieutenant.
"I presume I have the honor to address Captain Horatio Passford," said the visitor, as he took a letter from his pocket, bowing very respectfully at the same time, and delivering the letter.
"I am very glad to meet you, Captain Chantor," continued Captain Passford, taking the hand of the visitor.

"Allow me to introduce to you my son, Lieutenant Passford, who will be a passenger on your ship to the Gulf." "I am very happy to make your acquaintance, Mr.Passford, for I need hardly say that I have heard a great deal about you before, and this is a very unexpected pleasure," replied Captain Chantor.
"Thank you, Captain, and I am equally happy to meet you, as I am to be a passenger on your ship," added Christy, as they shook hands very cordially.
"I had three other passengers on board, but they have been transferred to the store-ship, which sails to-day, and you will be my only passenger." "At my suggestion," said Captain Passford smiling, doubtless at the puzzled expression of the captain of the Chateaugay at his statement.
"I am to attend to some special service on my voyage to the Gulf, and I am ordered to take my instructions from you," added Captain Chantor.
"Precisely so; but I hold no official position, and your orders will be put in proper form before you sail," replied Christy's father.