the major, as the tug came up to the gangway. "I think we should
have understood each other better if your steamer had not got aground."

"We have suffered little or no inconvenience, sir."

"Whether you have or not, you shall suffer no more. The tug has come
alongside, and I will see that you are not delayed a moment after I
can get to Fort Morgan, which will certainly fire upon you if I do not
interfere; and I will go to it in the tug," continued the major, who was
still struggling to make all the atonement in his power for his former
conduct.

"You are very kind, Major Pierson, and I am under obligations to you.
I have not seen my daughter for nearly six months, or my brother; and
the sooner I meet them, the better I shall like it," replied the owner.

"I have had the pleasure of meeting your daughter several times, as
your brother's plantation is next to my father's. It is possible that,
if the exigencies of the coming war permit, I may desire to address a
communication to you at no distant day," said Major Pierson, with
considerable embarrassment in his manner.

Captain Passford made no reply to this remark; for he thought it was
entirely out of place under present circumstances, and hoped matters had
not gone far enough even to think of future formalities. The major shook
hands with the owner and his son, and then with the commander, and went
over the side. As he did so, he requested Captain Breaker not to advance
till he reached the fort, or at least not to attempt to pass it.

The tug-boat went off on its course, but it was nearly half an hour
before it got near enough to the fort to allow the Bellevite to start
her screw. As there was nowhere less than three fathoms of water, and
Captain Breaker knew every inch of bottom, he directed Mr. Vapoor to
hurry the engine, so that no one should have time to change his mind.
The steamer shot by the fort as though she did not like the looks of it,
and in another half an hour she was out of the reach of its guns.

The commander had piloted the steamer to her present destination before;
and there was plenty of water till she nearly reached the wharf, where
the planter could load small vessels with cotton. It was not within the
city of Mobile, though it was not far from it; and it was a sort of
low-ground paradise, which money and taste had made very beautiful.

"What am I to do now, Mr. Pierson?" asked Percy, when the steamer had
come to her moorings alongside the