THE STRANGER IN THE CAPTAIN'S CABIN The Bronx had been absent from the station hardly more than thirty hours; but she had accomplished the mission with which she had been charged in her secret orders.

The Vernon was still at anchor near the flag-ship.

Christy hastened on board of the latter to make his report, which he had written out during the passage; in fact, he had two reports, one of the capture of the Bronx, and the other of the Floridian.
"You have done your work very promptly, Captain Passford," said the commodore with a smile.
"The circumstances favored me, sir," replied Christy, bowing.

"I desire to call your attention to the first of the two reports I submit, for the first battle I was called upon to fight was on board of the Bronx." "On board of the Bronx!" exclaimed the flag-officer.

"Do you mean that you had a mutiny to suppress ?" "I had not the honor to communicate with you yesterday before the Bronx sailed for her destination; but I believe you were called upon to decide upon the identity of the officer who presented himself to you as the lieutenant appointed to the command of the Bronx, introduced by Captain Battleton of the Vernon." "I was hardly called upon to decide anything, for the matter in doubt had been settled by the commander of the Vernon before it came to my knowledge; but I agreed with him that the commission ought to settle the point.