She belonged to Captain Flanger." "Who is Captain Flanger ?" asked Christy.
"You have him on board, and perhaps he had better answer the question himself," replied Colonel Passford with a smile.
"It was a superfluous question, for I know all about him.

He is the captain of the Floridian, though that would not make him a combatant unless he fights his ship; and that is what he did on board of the Magnolia.

I regard him and his companions, except the skipper of the sloop, as prisoners of war.

You proved by your words and conduct that you were not a combatant, and you are at liberty to depart when you please." The young commander did not feel entirely sure that his ruling was correct, for a naval officer must be learned in a great variety of subjects which he had not had time to study; but he was willing to take the responsibility in the present instance.
"It is easy enough to say that I may depart; but how shall I do it ?" added the planter with a smile.

"I cannot swim ashore." "I will put you ashore in a boat at the nearest land when the fog clears off," replied Christy.
"The nearest land is an island, and there is hardly anything like a village on the entire Bay of St.Andrew's.