Capt. Bendig had protested against his being taken to the cutter; but he did not know the reason. Lon was satisfied that Wade knew what was going on, and why he had been sent for. He asked him a great many questions, all of which he refused to answer. If the captain wanted him to know what he was about, he could tell him: Wade would not. But the steamer was going at a rapid rate through the water; and, as the “Housatonic” was not making more than four knots an hour, the two vessels were soon within speaking distance. “Heave to!” shouted the captain of the cutter as he ran his vessel under the stern of the “Housatonic.” “What do you want now?” demanded Capt. Crogick. The commander of the cutter repeated his order, and the master of the ship did not deem it prudent to disregard it. A boat was lowered from the cutter; and an officer was sent in it to the ship. “What is it now?” asked Capt. Crogick, as the lieutenant came upon the deck of the “Housatonic.” “You overhauled this ship last night.” “I know we did; but this time we want to inquire into another matter,” replied the officer, whose name was Graves. “Have you any passengers on board?” Capt. Crogick was taken all aback at this question. He had sent his lady passengers into their state-rooms, and had directed the cashier to conceal himself elsewhere, so that they should not be seen; and he had not looked for any trouble in this direction. “You visited my ship before, and looked her all over; and you did not find any passengers,” replied he. “You do not answer my question,” replied Mr. Graves. “Have you any passengers on board?” “Did you find any passengers on board when you searched the ship?” asked the captain. “I did not; but I was not looking for passengers then. It seems to be an easy matter to answer my question, if you are disposed to do so,” added the revenue-officer. “What’s the use of answering it?” said Capt. Crogick, utterly disgusted with the situation. “You will search my ship just the same.” “As you refuse to answer me, I need waste no more time in talking about my duty.” “Is it against the law of the United States to carry passengers?” demanded the captain. “It depends upon who the passengers are.” Mr. Graves called several of his men from the boat, and then went into the cabin. No passengers were in sight; and he began to try the doors of the state-rooms. He found that most of them were empty; but two were locked. “My wife is in that one; and, if you wish to disturb her, I have no power to prevent you from doing so,” said Capt. Crogick, in the tones of injured innocence. “I will not disturb her; but I don’t remember to have seen your wife when I was on board before,” replied the officer; “and you will recall the fact that I looked into all the state-rooms.” “That you didn’t see her, don’t prove that she was not on board,” added Capt. Crogick doggedly.