n such a hurry?" demanded Homer.

"Because this is not a safe place for me and mine; and I have my two
children with me."

"You ought to have left Christy at home."

"I think not. Though he is only sixteen, he has seen so much of the
world, and is so bright, that he is almost a man. He will go into the
navy within a few weeks, and I shall expect him to give a good account
of himself."

"He is rather young. Corny is eighteen, and he has already enlisted with
his mother's blessing and mine. But I think you need not be in such a
hurry, Horatio, to get away from here; for it is a long time since we
met."

"I have expressed my political sentiments very freely to you, Homer, and
you know as well as I do, that, if they were known, I should not be safe
a single day."

"Not quite so bad as that, for I think I should have sufficient
influence to save you from arrest," added Homer.

"The Bellevite cost me over half a million dollars, and she is worth all
she cost. If I were safe a single day, the steamer and ship's company on
board of her would not be. I brought them down here, and I intend to
take them back."

"And then you present this fine vessel to the Yankee Government, and
doubtless the men on board of her will go into the service of the navy."

"I certainly expect as much as that of them."

"Then I question whether I ought to allow such a prize to pass out of
the bay for such a purpose," said Homer.

"Then, with such a doubt as that in your mind, I ought not to remain
here another hour," added Horatio quietly. "If you have gone far enough
in treason to betray your own brother, coming here to your home for no
warlike purpose, into the hands of the enemy, why, all I can do is to
look out for myself."

"I did not say that I should betray you, Horatio. It is simply a
question with me whether my duty to my country will allow me to let your
steamer leave these waters. I have not settled the question in my own
mind."

"I hope you will settle it soon. If I am to take my first step in this
fratricidal war by defending myself against my own brother, let him
speak, and I am ready," replied Horatio, shaken by an emotion deeper
than he had ever experienced before.

"Horatio, whatever you may do, whatever I may do, each in the discharge
of his duty to his country, his country as he understands it, let us
have no unfraternal feeling," continued Homer, almost as much disturbed
in his feelings as his brother.

"In other