There was something on the part of the commander which indicated that he was playing a part, as were all on board, though he seemed to be a little amused to find that he was taking his orders from a boy of eighteen. At the same time he nodded his head slightly, though very significantly, to the young agent. "Go ahead just as fast as you can make the steamer travel, Captain Breaker," said Percy, with as much energy as though he had been in command of a Confederate fleet. "Certainly, Mr. Percy; I shall obey your order, as you have charge of the vessel," added the commander. This passage between the authority of the steamer and his brother absolutely confounded the major, and for a couple of minutes he was unable to say any thing at all. But Captain Breaker, who was the only pilot on board, was obliged to leave the ship's guest in order to look out for the course of the steamer. It seemed to be useless to attempt to get over the bar where he had tried to do so; and he directed the vessel towards the main ship-channel, finding plenty of water to enable him to reach it. But he would have to run the gauntlet of Fort Morgan, and the chances of a shot were against him. "Do you mean to say that Percy is in charge of this steamer, Captain Breaker?" demanded Major Pierson, who had by this time recovered some portion of his self-possession. "That is what both he and I said to you," replied Captain Breaker. "And the vessel is to be in the service of the Confederate States," added Percy, with more pluck than he had displayed before. "If my brother will not let her pass into the bay, I will go on shore at Fort Morgan, and explain the situation to the officer in command," blustered Percy; and perhaps he would have done just as much under the circumstances if he had known the vessel was on the other side in the coming conflict. "Where are your papers, sir?" asked the major. "We have no papers; and that is why I am come in charge of the steamer," replied the agent, who seemed to be quite able to strain a point when necessary. "We met Colonel Richard Pierson in Nassau, and I believe he is your father and Mr. Percy's," answered Captain Breaker. "He is; but I can hardly understand how he happened to send my brother home in charge of this fine steamer," said the major, glancing at his brother. "Going into the army is not all the duty a man has to do for his country," said Percy warmly. "May I ask where this vessel came from?" inquired the commander of the fort. "From New York before she went to Bermuda and Nassau; before that, from England," replied the commander evasively. "If you are really in charge of the steamer, Percy, I have nothing more to say," continued Major Pierson. "Now may I ask who owns her?" "Captain Horatio Passford, who stands there?" The officer in command of the fort started back as though he had received another surprise, greater than before. CHAPTER XII HOW THE BELLEVITE PASSED FORT MORGAN