r
of the Bellevite was pointed out to him by the commander. He had
practically retreated from the position he had taken with his brother,
and had apparently given up the idea of sending him to the fort to be
made a soldier.

From the point which the steamer had reached, just north of Little
Pelican Island, Captain Breaker had directed Mr. Dashington to head the
vessel to the eastward, through Sand Island Channel; and she was now
moving towards the main ship-channel, which passed under the very guns
of Fort Morgan.

The tug had picked up the boat from the fort on the other side of the
bay, and was following the Bellevite, though she had fallen a long way
behind her in a very short time. It was about two miles to the more
formidable fort, and the steamer was going at full speed, so that it
could not be long before a shot would interrupt the harmony of her
movements.

In the mean time the commander of Fort Gaines was really a prisoner on
board of the Bellevite, for Captain Breaker had started her screw before
he could get any of his force on board. But the major was not half so
much disturbed by this fact as he was by the consciousness that he had
behaved in a very rude, brutal, and tyrannical manner in the presence of
Colonel Passford's brother, who had thus far spoken not a word to him.

"Captain Breaker, may I ask you to present me to the owner of the
steamer?" said Major Pierson, after he had looked about him for a time,
and perhaps considered how he should atone for his rudeness.

"Certainly, if you desire it," replied the commander, who was as polite
as though he had been brought up in Paris, though he was hardly an
exception to all naval officers.

"Will you excuse me if I say that you are running at great speed, sir,
and a shot from Fort Morgan cannot be much longer postponed," added the
major, as he glanced at the fort on the right.

"I did not willingly start the steamer, sir; but it was my duty to
protect the agent in whose charge the steamer comes into port. If you
say that he shall suffer no further annoyance, either on your own part
or that of your people, I will stop the screw and wait your pleasure,"
said the commander.

"I have had some difficulty with my brother, and it looked incredible
to me that he had come into Mobile Bay in charge of this fine vessel.
I apologize to you and the owner for my rudeness, and assure you that I
will not trouble Percy again while he remains on board," continued Ma