words, if you hand me and my vessel over to your leaders, and
consequently take from me the means of bearing my daughter to a place of
safety, I am to put my hand on my heart, and say that my brother has
done right, for I will not use any stronger terms," said Horatio,
struggling with his emotion.

"I must do my duty as I understand it," protested Homer. "The question I
put to myself is this: can I justify myself, before God and my country,
if I permit the finest steamer in the world, as you state it, to be
transferred to the Yankee navy, to be used in killing, ravaging, and
destroying within the free South? The steamer is here, and within my
reach. After all you have said, she would be the lawful prize of any
tug-boat in the bay that could capture her. I begin to realize that I
should be guilty of treason to my country in letting her go."

"You must be your own judge in regard to that," replied Horatio
bitterly, as he rose from his chair and walked towards the door.

"One word more, Horatio. I look upon the Bellevite as already belonging
to the Southern Confederacy. Of course, being a private yacht, she is
not armed?"

Homer paused and looked at his brother as though he expected an answer
to this question; but the owner of the steamer made no reply.

"Do you say that the Bellevite is armed, Horatio?" repeated Homer.

"I do not say any thing about it. I find that I am in the presence of an
enemy, though he is my own brother."

"Do not assume that tone to me, Horatio: it wounds me to the heart,"
said Homer, in a deprecatory tone. "If we are enemies because you choose
to oppress our people, I cannot help it; but we will still be brothers."

"The attack upon Fort Sumter was made by the South; and thus far, at
least to the extent that I have been informed, the South has been the
assailant; and you say that I choose to oppress your people. They have
taken the sword, and they will perish by the sword."

Captain Passford could not trust his feelings any longer to remain with
his brother, and he left the room. In the hall he met Florry, who had
been lying in wait for him for over an hour. She threw herself on his
neck as she had done before; but she found her father full of energy,
and he was not even willing to use his minutes to caress her.

"What is the matter, papa?" asked the fair girl, astonished at the
manner of her father, for she had never before seen him so agitated.

"Do not ask me any questions, Florry,