to do so. It was nearly ten o'clock at night when the
wanderers reached their destination, and were hailed by the vigilant
watch on the deck.

"Florence!" called the owner of the steamer when he was challenged, and
gave the word that had been agreed upon.

"Pass, Florence," replied the sentinel.

All the officers were still upon board, and Florry received a very
respectful greeting from all of them. Her trunk was carried to her
stateroom; and she soon followed it, for the excitement of the afternoon
and evening was rather too much for her.

"Is Percy still on board, Breaker?" asked the owner.

"He is not: he lounged about the deck till nearly night, and then he
said he would go up and see his mother, to which I had not the least
objection," replied the commander.

"I have no objection to his going where he pleases now, but the worst of
it is that Christy appears to have gone with him. They must have been
gone three hours, and I begin to be worried about my son. But no matter
for that now: we are ready to sail, and it is necessary to get out into
the bay, at least without any loss of time, Breaker. The tide is right
now."

Captain Breaker had not expected to leave so soon, and thought it
probable that the vessel would remain where she was for several days or
a week. But he had caused the fires to be banked, so as to be ready for
any emergency, though he did not anticipate any; for he reasoned that
the powerful influence of the owner's brother would be enough to protect
the steamer from interference.

The commander called all hands, and the owner requested that the work
be done with as little noise as possible. In less than an hour the
Bellevite was floating in the deep waters of the bay. But the owner was
far from easy; though, in spite of all his brother had said, he felt
that the steamer was safe for the present: he was not a little alarmed
at the continued absence of Christy.

Captain Passford had formed a very decided opinion in regard to Major
Pierson, and he did not believe that Percy had seen the end of his
troubles in the matter of joining the army. It was not over a three
hours' run in a reasonably fast steamer from the forts to the city, and
at least ten hours had elapsed since the Bellevite came up. Possibly the
major might wonder whether or not the coming of Captain Passford would
disturb the residence of Miss Florence at the mansion of her uncle. It
was not improbable that he had, or might, come u