Christy felt as much honored by the confidence reposed in him by the captain as though he had been appointed to the command of a steamer. But he had more than once proved that he could be safely trusted, and demonstrated that he had judgment, discretion, and skill beyond his years. He was not only brave and resolute, but he was faithful and patriotic.

He went about among the ship's company and selected the men he desired to assist him in his enterprise, and requested those chosen to say nothing about the matter, for the lieutenant was aware that he should have more volunteers than he could accommodate in the largest of the boats. All would want to go, and the young officer would be teased and coaxed, and all sorts of influence brought to bear upon him to permit this and that one to be of 202 the party. It was easier to be silent than it was to reply to all the applications.

Christy selected a large whaleboat for the service in which he was to be employed, and he had his own reasons for the choice he made. He had received unlimited authority to adopt his own measures. The only point that was strongly impressed upon his mind by the captain was that the Teaser must be captured.

After supper the order was given to the third lieutenant to convey Captain Westover back to the fort, or to land him at the usual place near it. Nothing was thought of the order, though perhaps some of the officers considered a dozen seamen, all armed with cutlasses and revolvers, a large boat's crew for such a service. It was very thick weather, and Captain Westover begged Christy not to land him within the enemy's lines, which he promised not to do.

The men gave way, and the boat went off into the gloom of the evening. Beeks gave his whole attention to the course of the boat, and Lieutenant Passford was engaged in a very earnest conversation with the military passenger. The landing-place seemed to be reached too soon, for Christy 203 had not finished his business. He landed with him, and together they went to the fort, where the young officer had a conversation with the commander of the force there.

"I hope you will not get into hot water, Mr. Passford," said Captain Westover, as he came to the sallyport with him.

"I cannot say that I shall not," replied Christy, "but I shall do the best I can to report on board of the ship with the force intrusted to me; and I hope I shall have the Teaser with me."

"I hope you will. There are several small steamers up in the bay; but I have not the least idea where you will have to look for the Teaser, for we at the fort have not seen any such steamer lately."

"There can be no doubt of her existence, Captain Westover, for the Bellevite was sent here to look out for her, as her speed is said to be remarkable. But, good-night, captain."

"Good-night, lieutenant; success to you, and a safe return," added the captain.

"Thank you," answered Christy, as he hurried down to the landing-place.

Among those whom the lieutenant had selected 204 was a master's mate by the name of Flint, who had assisted on board of the Bellevite in the affair with the Vampire. He was a modest, quiet man, who made no especial figure among his shipmates, though he had strongly attracted the attention of his officer. Next to Christy he was the highest in rank, and the second in command. Beeks was the next man selected, and he had done all that was necessary in the preparation of the boat, including putting into it slyly a supply of provisions, and a number of articles which the lieutenant had designated.

On his return to the boat, Christy found his crew in excellent order, for he had instructed Flint to allow no noise or disorder, as sailors and young men generally are somewhat given to skylarking when not under the eye of a commissioned officer. Christy took his place with Flint in the stern sheets of the boat, and ordered Beeks, who was acting as coxswain, to shove off and give way.

"I have no instructions yet, sir," replied Beeks, as he obeyed the order, and headed the boat away from the shore.

"We have to make two miles east by south, and that course will carry us parallel with the shore of 205 Santa Rosa Island, variation included," replied Christy, who had been a diligent student of the chart, and had written down all that it was important for him to remember, though he had one of his own charts, or a piece of one, in the boat.

"East by south, sir," replied Beeks, as he put the whaleboat on the required course.

Thus far, Christy had kept his own counsel, and not whispered a word of his intentions even to the master's mate. He had no motive for such heroic concealment of his plan, but he had not had the time to discuss it with any person. Besides, though he had decided upon his course in the beginning, he was too much in the dark himself to lay down a definite plan; and his course must depend largely upon the information he obtained from time to time.

He had examined the charts and the Coast Pilot very carefully; and the facts he had obtained from the latter rather staggered him in regard to the idea he had advanced that the Teaser might go out through Santa Rosa Sound. It was not navigable for vessels with a draught of over four feet, and it would have to be a very small man-of-war that could float in that depth. Though it was now 206 the time of the spring tides, they did not add more than six inches to the height of the mean tide, which was but a couple of inches over two feet.

Even before he took his place in the boat alongside the ship, he had come to the conclusion that the Teaser, if she proved to be anything more than a toy boat, could not go to sea through the sound, and she was not likely to attempt it. He had said as much as this to Captain Breaker, who reminded him that he was to ascertain if possible what t............