The second officer was superintending the crew as they put things to rights for the voyage. His person was in striking contrast with his superior officer; for he weighed over two hundred pounds, and looked as though he were better fitted for the occupancy of an alderman's chair than for a position on the deck of a sea-going vessel. He was under forty years of age, but he had also been in command of a bark in the employ of his present owner. "Of course we cannot undertake the difficult enterprise before us, Breaker, without an armament of some sort," said Captain Passford, as they halted at the companionway. "I should say not, and I was wondering how you intended to manage in this matter," replied the commander. "I will tell you, for our first mission renders it necessary to give some further orders before we go below," continued the owner. "We have not a day or an hour to waste." "The sooner we get at the main object of the expedition, the better will be our chances of success." "You remember that English brig which was wrecked on Mills Breaker, while we were at Hamilton?" "Very well indeed; and she was said to be loaded with a cargo of improved guns, with the ammunition for them, which some enterprising Britisher had brought over on speculation, for the use of the Confederate army and navy,--if they ever have any navy," added Captain Breaker. "That is precisely the cargo to which I allude. The brig had a hole in her bottom, but only a part of her was under water. The officers of the vessel were confident that the entire cargo would be saved, with not much of it in a damaged condition," added the owner. "There has been no violent storm since we left St. George, hardly three days ago," said the commander. "I wish to obtain as much of this cargo as will be necessary to arm the Bellevite properly for the expedition; and I have a double object in obtaining it, even if I have to throw half of it into the Atlantic Ocean." "The fact that we need the guns and ammunition is reason enough for trying to obtain the cargo." "But I have the additional inducement of keeping it out of the hands of the enemy, so that the guns shall be turned against the foes of the Union instead of its friends. We must make a quick passage, so that, if we lose this opportunity, it will not be our fault." "I understand. Pass the word for Mr. Vapoor," added the commander to a quartermaster who was taking in the ensign at the peak. Mr. Vapoor was the chief engineer; though he was the youngest officer on board, and really looked younger than Christy Passford. CHAPTER V THE BELLEVITE AND THOSE ON BOARD OF HER