"Captain Passford, we meet again, as I was sure we should when we parted in Nassau to-day," said the commander of the Snapper. "Now, if you will take the trouble to get out of the carriage, we shall be able to make you comfortable before we have done with you." Christy attempted to speak; but the gag prevented him from articulating, and he could not breathe as freely as usual. The captain drew the handkerchief from his mouth, for there was no one within a long distance of the spot to aid the prisoner if he had called for help. The victim had fully determined to resign himself to his fate, and make the best of the situation until an opportunity offered to effect his escape, though he greatly feared that such an opportunity would not be presented. "Thank you, Captain Flanger; I am much obliged to you for giving me a better chance to breathe, though I suppose you are not very anxious that I should continue to breathe," replied Christy, assuming a degree of good nature which had no substantial foundation in reality. "On the contrary, I dare say you intend to stop my breathing altogether as soon as you find it convenient to do so." "Not so; you can do all the breathing you want to, and I won't interfere as long as you behave yourself," replied Captain Flanger in a more civilized tone than his victim had heard him use before. "But to-day noon you swore that you would kill me," added the prisoner, much surprised at the change in the manner of the ruffian since they had met on the sidewalk. "I have altered my mind," replied the captain, leaving Christy in the hands of his companions, and walking down to the boat, where the two men in it seemed to be trying to find deeper water, so as to bring it nearer to the shore. "Well, how do you find yourself, Christy?" asked Percy, placing himself in front of him. "I haven't lost myself so far, and I am as comfortable as could be expected under the circumstances," answered Christy, whose pride would not permit him to show that he was overcome or cast down by the misfortune which had overtaken him. "You did not come to the public wharf as you promised to do at half-past four o'clock this afternoon," Percy proceeded. "I did not; David sailed me off to the sea-gardens, and we did not get back to the town in season for me to keep the appointment." "Then you intended to keep it?" "I did not say so." "I had the idea you were a fellow that kept all the promises he made, even if it hurt him to do so." "Do you think you would have kept your promise to have Captain Flanger land me at Key West, if I had been weak enough to go on board of his steamer?" demanded Christy. "You are fighting on one side, and I am fighting on the other, Christy; and I suppose either of us is justified in lying and breaking his promises in the service of his country." "You are fighting on your side at a very convenient distance from the battle-ground, Percy."