The young man looked positively humble after he had listened to the remark of the owner, for he felt that his father had "taken all the wind out of his sails." He looked in the direction of the receding island of Nassau, and realized that he had been wasting his time, to say nothing of the wasted strategy he had bestowed on his enterprise. "You have stated that you are bound for Mobile Bay, sir," said he. "That is a long distance from New Providence, as I have learned from experience." "But this trip will give you the satisfaction of being restored to your own home in a very short time, for there is no faster vessel afloat than the Bellevite," added Captain Passford. "It will put me into the army," said Mr. Percy; but he felt at once that he had made a slip of the tongue, and he hastened to correct the effect of his involuntary speech. "Of course, I wanted to go into the army of my country, as every patriotic fellow in the South does; but my father objects simply because I can be of more service to the good cause in another field of action, and I had to yield the point." The owner thought he had not been guilty of a very savage yielding of his own inclination, but he said nothing. He was evidently the youngest child of the family, and doubtless the pet of his parents; and it was hard for them to put him in a position to be shot, or to endure the hardships of the camp. "I see now that my mission is a failure, though with no detriment to the good cause. I wish I was in New Providence again," continued Mr. Percy, looking very much discontented with himself. "I am sorry you did not speak to me on shore as your father did, and that would have saved you from all annoyance." "But I must beg you to do me the favor to put me ashore again, for my father will suffer untold agonies when he misses me to-night." "Put you on shore!" exclaimed Captain Passford. "You are a sensible and reasonable young gentleman, and you will readily see that this is quite impossible." "We have not been out above two hours, sir," suggested Percy. "But we have made thirty-six miles, at least, in that time; and to return would delay me about four or five hours,--long enough, perhaps, to defeat the object of my voyage. I assure you that it is wholly impossible for us to return." "Do you think so, sir?" asked the enterprising purchaser of vessels, looking very disconsolate indeed. "I not only think so, but I am perfectly sure on this point. You can see for yourself that I cannot sacrifice the object of my voyage--for the vessel has a special mission at her destination--by a delay of some hours. I am not responsible for your being on board, and I am sorry that I cannot do any thing for you." "But you can put me ashore at Key West, and I may find some vessel bound to Nassau," suggested Percy, becoming more and more disconsolate, as he realized the difficulties of his situation, for he was plainly very much averse to returning to his home.