o his own.

The captain took considerable pains to bring it into the conversation
that he had been a seaman all his life, that he had come on board
through the hawse hole, and had not crawled in at the cabin window. He
made a slurring remark about fresh-water sailors, and informed me that
he had been around Cape Horn and the Cape of Good Hope. He had been an
ensign in the navy during "the late unpleasantness," and had served in
the Gulf of Mexico in the blockade fleet.

"When do you sail, Captain Blastblow?" I inquired.

"I don't know: but I have my orders to be ready to go at a moment's
warning at any time after daylight to-morrow morning," replied the
captain of the Islander.

These instructions seemed to be entirely consistent with what Colonel
Shepard had said, that his departure and destination depended upon the
letters he expected to receive by the afternoon mail. I looked over the
steamer, and found her as neat as a new pin in every part. The officers
and crew had put on a new uniform, and I found that they had steam up
on board.

I found no one that I knew on her deck, and the captain introduced me
to the mate, the engineers, and the steward. I thought there was a
little irony in his words as he did so; but I took no notice of this
circumstance. I could see that he believed he was a thoroughly
competent captain, and that he had some doubts in regard to my ability
to fill the position I occupied on board of the Sylvania. I was willing
that the future should settle all such questions; but I had the vanity
to believe, though I did not say so, that I could handle the Sylvania
as well as he could the Islander.

We parted as the best of friends should part, and when I had seated
myself in the boat, I could not help thinking I should like to see him
handle his vessel in such a storm as I had seen on Lake Superior. In a
few moments I was landed on Market Wharf, and walked up to the
post-office to inquire if there were any letters for me. I learned that
the northern mail had not arrived. It was often several hours behind
time, for the railroads in Florida were in very bad condition.

Colonel Shepard was there, very impatient at the non-arrival of his
letters. He told me, if he had to go to New York, he should sail in the
Islander on the next tide. If his business did not call him north at
once, he should sail with us the next morning.

The colonel went over to the Carlton, and I was about to go with him,
when N