hich such great things were expected, they
were, with a single exception, destroyed in a fight of less than an
hour's duration by the Union fleet under the command of Flag Officer
Davis. The _Van Dorn_ alone escaped, and she was never heard of
afterward.

When the _Mollie Able_ resumed her journey Rodney waited and watched for
an opportunity to question the outspoken Confederate, for he believed he
could trust him. As he had often told himself, he was "going it blind,"
and a little information from some one who knew how things were going on
up the river, might be of the greatest use to him. The opportunity he
sought was presented the very next day. While he was feeding his horse
the Confederate sauntered along and stopped and looked at the colt with
the air of a man who knew a good thing when he saw it.

"There ought to be some 'go' in that fellow," said he.

"I think there is," replied Rodney. "But I have never tried him at his
best, and don't expect to unless the Yankees get after me."

"Well, if you keep on up the river you will go right where the Yankees
are," said the gentleman, who looked a little surprised. "If you are on
our side what are you doing here?"

"Pardon me, but I might ask you the same question," answered the boy
cautiously.

"My business is no secret," was the smiling reply. "I am going up into
Ohio after my family. I want to get them home while I can. All our
highways will be shut up after a while."

"Do you think there will be any fighting?"

"Lots of it, and I have promised to help"; and as the man said this he
put his hand into his pocket and drew out an official envelope. He
looked around the deck to make sure that there was no one within
earshot, and then produced a printed document which he unfolded and
handed over for Rodney's inspection. "I knew you were a Southerner the
minute I saw you, and have several times been on the point of speaking
to you, for you seemed lonesome and downhearted," he continued "But when
one is about to beard the lion in his den as I am, it behooves him to be
careful whom he addresses."

"That was the reason I kept to myself," answered Rodney, handing back
the paper which proved that his new acquaintance was a captain in the
Confederate army. "I should think you would be afraid to have that
commission about you. I left all my soldier things at home."

"I reckon I am safe now, but I might not be a week hence," said the
captain. "Who are you any way, if it