"He will send me into the army in spite of my father and mother; and, for that reason, I don't mean to go where he can put his finger on me. Of course, the Bellevite is going into the Confederate navy." Percy looked his companion in the face, as though he had been thinking of something which would benefit his own case. "You will have to ask my uncle about that," replied Christy, not willing to say any more than was necessary on this subject. "There can be no doubt of it, and I would rather be in the navy than in the army. I hope your uncle will be able to do something for me." "I don't know whether he can or not. For aught I know, the steamer may be sent to England, or to some other country," replied Christy, as they approached the gate, which was to be the end in that direction of his walk. "At any rate, I mean to stay on board of the Bellevite; and I shall take my chances of getting a position of some kind on board of her." "What kind of a position do you desire?" "I am willing to be one of the lieutenants, or something of that kind," replied Percy with becoming condescension. "One of the lieutenants!" exclaimed Christy. "Of course you know all about handling a ship or a steamer." "I can't say I do. In fact, I never went on the sea till I went to Nassau with my father," replied Percy candidly. "But I can soon learn all about it." "A nice lieutenant you will make! Why don't you apply for the position of commander of her?" "I am willing to take a subordinate position till I learn something about the business." "That's right! Be humble at first, and you will be great afterwards." "I should have been willing to go into the army as a captain, or even as a lieutenant; but I couldn't quite stand it to go in as a common soldier, while my brother made a beginning as a major." "I think I will not go any farther, Mr. Percy," said Christy, as he halted near the gate. "Oh, don't leave me now, Mr. Pierson! We are half way to my father's house," Percy objected. "I can't go any farther, for I may be wanted." "You will be safe enough, Mr. Pierson, My mother is at home, and she will be glad to see you." "I think I will not see your mother to-night," added Christy, as he turned, and began to retrace his steps towards the mansion of his uncle. [Illustration: Four Men Sprang in Front of Him (Page 183)] They had halted in the road near the gate, and on both sides of it was a thick undergrowth of small trees and bushes; and in the shade of this foliage it had become quite dark. Christy had not taken three steps before four men sprang out of the thicket in front of him, all of them armed with muskets, and wearing a uniform of gray. Two placed themselves in front of Christy; while the other two rushed after Percy, who took to his heels as soon as he saw them.