"I don't know about that. We may run into the bay without waiting for any boat." "Then they fire on you from the fort," suggested the disconsolate. "We rather expect that," added Christy quietly. "You do?" "Of course, a shot from the fort may blow us out of the water; but we can't help that, and we must take our chances of being hit." "But that is terribly risky business, and the whole of us may be killed before we get by the fort." "Of course: that may be the case; but we have no papers, and we have to take things as they come." "It isn't pleasant to take cannon-balls as they come, for they are apt to hit hard. But they won't fire at us if a boat comes off to examine the vessel." "But in that case you will have the pleasure of meeting your brother the major." "And whatever he may do with the steamer, he will take me to the fort with him, and put me into the ranks." "Perhaps we can save you from such a fate in some way," suggested Christy, who was already doing some heavy thinking on his own account. "I wish you would!" exclaimed Percy, catching at the straw held out to him. "There is time enough, and I will see you again," added Christy, as he joined his father on the forecastle, where lie was taking a survey. The owner's son had an idea, and he thought it was a good one. Without losing any time, he laid it before his father, explaining it in detail. He was even ready to remove objections to the scheme, and was confident that it would succeed. Captain Passford called the commander, and informed him what his son had suggested. Captain Breaker heartily approved it; for, if it failed, it would leave the steamer in no worse position than before, with all her chances of running the gauntlet successfully still open to her. Christy was the best person on board to manage the details, for he was the most intimate with the son of the purchaser of vessels. He returned to that part of the deck where he had left his companion. He found that Percy was very anxious to see him again, for he had founded a hope on what had been said before. "I think we can manage it, Mr. Percy, if you will do just what you are told to do," Christy began. "I will do all that to the letter," protested Percy; and a smile actually lighted up his face at the prospect of escaping the fate to which his father and mother objected so strongly. "You see the trouble with the Bellevite is that she has no papers; not even a letter from the Confederate agent who is picking up vessels for the navy. But I think we can manage it if you will learn your part correctly." "I will do that. Do you think you can really keep my brother from taking me to the fort?" asked Percy, his tones and manner burdened with anxiety. "I feel almost sure of it." "Good for you!" "You must go into the cabin now with me. They are just starting up the steamer again, and she will soon reach the channel where she is going into the bay."