"It is the fastest and strongest steamer that floats, and she will give a good account of herself when the trouble begins in earnest." "Here comes the boat from the fort, and I see that Major Pierson is in the stern sheets. I have no doubt he will find you all right," said the captain. The boat came alongside of the Bellevite, and the major went on board. CHAPTER XI THE MAJOR IN COMMAND OF FORT GAINES Percy Pierson retained his position on the rail when his brother the major came up the gangway steps, which had been put over for him. As the latter went up, he could not help seeing him; and his astonishment evidently mounted to the highest degree, as manifested in his expression. The owner and the commander stood near the rail, to give the visitor a pleasant reception. But the major took no notice of them; for his attention was plainly absorbed in his surprise at seeing his brother, dressed in uniform, on the rail of the steamer. He halted as soon as he had mounted the rail, over which he must pass to reach the deck. He looked at Percy for some time, without being able to say a word, and seemed to be not quite sure that it was he. The younger brother was as silent as the older one; for he had had some rather exciting times with him in the matter of enlisting, and he was not very confident of his reception at the hands of the commander of Fort Gaines. He looked at him with interest, not unmingled with some painful solicitude for the future. "Percy!" exclaimed Major Pierson at last, when he was entirely satisfied that the young man was his brother, in spite of the uniform of blue he wore, though the gray had not yet come into extensive use. "Lindley!" added the younger, evidently desiring to go no faster than the occasion might require of him. "I am glad to see you back again," continued the major, without offering to take his hand. "You deserted like a coward, and I have been ashamed of you ever since. A young fellow like you, eighteen years old, who will not fight for his country, ought to lose the respect of even his own brother." "That is a pleasant greeting," replied Percy, with the suspicion of a sneer on his face. "It is all that a coward deserves," replied Lindley severely. "I am no coward, any more than you are," protested Percy. "You know that father did not wish me to join the army, though I wished to do so." "I know that you wished to do so just as any other coward does,--over the left." "What could I do when father told me not to go to the war?" "What could you do? You could have gone! If you had not been a poltroon, you would have joined the first regiment that came in your way." "I never was in the habit of disobeying my father," pleaded the young agent.