Christy led the way down the steps, and the two seated themselves in the bow of the boat. The skipper shoved off after he had set his sails, and the boat stood out towards the Snapper, for he could hardly avoid passing quite near to her. "What are you doing in Nassau, Christy?" asked Percy. This was a hard question, and it was utterly impossible to make a truthful reply without upsetting the plan of Mr. Gilfleur, and rendering useless the voyage of the Chateaugay to the Bahamas. "I am in just as bad a scrape as you were when you were caught on board of the Bellevite," replied Christy after a moment's reflection. "Are you a prisoner of war?" "How could I be a prisoner in a neutral port like Nassau? No; I do not regard myself as a prisoner just now," answered Christy very good-humoredly. "But you have been a prisoner, and you have escaped in some vessel that run the blockade. I see it all; and you need not stop to explain it," said Percy, who flattered himself on his brilliant perception. "The less I say about it the better it will be for me," added Christy, willing to accept the situation as his companion had marked it out. "But you must not let my father see you." "I never met Colonel Pierson, though I saw him once, and he would not know me if we should meet." "Then don't let him know who you are." "He will not know, unless you tell him." "You may be very sure that I will not mention you to him, or to anybody else, for that matter," replied Percy very earnestly. But Christy did not put any confidence in his assertion. Percy was really a deserter from the Confederate army, and he knew that he had in several instances acted the traitor's part. He had more respect for an out-and-out rebel than for one who shirked his duty to his country as he understood it. "I have been afraid some one might identify me here," suggested Christy, determined not to over-act his part. "I might help you out of the scrape," said Percy, who appeared to be reflecting upon something that had come to his mind. "I suppose you are aware that most of the vessels in this harbor, and those outside the bar, are directly or indirectly interested in blockade-running." "I supposed so, but I know nothing about it." "Some of them have brought in cotton, with which others are loading for England. My business as my father's clerk takes me on board of most of them, and I know the captains and other officers very well. This little steamer we have just passed was bought for a Mobile man by my father. She carried a full cargo of goods into Mobile, and came out again full of cotton. She is called the Snapper, and she is a regular snapper at her business. She is now all loaded, and will sail on the next tide. I am well acquainted with her captain." "What sort of a man is he?" asked Christy in an indifferent tone.