The Leopard backed out from the wharf, came about, and headed down the inlet, or whatever it was. She had hardly left the pier before Major Pierson appeared on the quarter-deck, which had been assigned for the use of the prisoners. His gaze was first fixed on Percy; for the other prisoner was looking astern, in order to obtain some idea of where he was, if he could, for he thought such information might be of some use to him in the future. "Well, Percy, how goes it now?" asked the major. Christy heard the voice, which was the first he knew of the presence of a third person, and he turned about. The major started back as though he had seen his father with his hands tied behind him by his order. "Good Heaven! Mr. Passford!" exclaimed the major; and Christy was satisfied that his astonishment was sincere. "That is certainly my name: I haven't forgotten it, if I am a prisoner with my hands tied behind me," replied Christy, as good-naturedly as though he had had no grievance. "This is all a mistake!" ejaculated Major Pierson, evidently greatly disturbed by the discovery he had just made, as he rushed upon the prisoner, turned him around, and proceeded to untie the line which bound him. "I thought it must be a mistake," added Christy. "You must have been with this brother of mine. I told Spottswood to arrest Percy, for be has disgraced himself and his family; and I told him to capture whoever might be with him, for I did not care to leave behind an informant of what had been done, for it would only have made my mother feel badly. That is really the whole of it. I am very sorry indeed that you were subjected to this annoyance, Mr. Passford; and I assure you I will do all in my power to atone for my offence." "I am satisfied, Major Pierson; and the only thing that disturbs me is the fact that my father and sister will worry about my absence," replied Christy. "You are no longer a prisoner, Mr. Passford, and you are at liberty to go where you please." "But my limits are rather circumscribed on board this tug." "But I will soon put you on board your father's steamer." "Thank you, sir; that is all I can desire." "Can't you do as much as that for me, Lindy?" asked Percy, when he saw that his brother was about to leave him. "If you say that you will return to your place in your regiment, I will release you at once," replied the brother. "I won't do that," answered Percy without any hesitation. "But I want to go into the navy. I am better fitted for a sailor than I am for a soldier." "The first thing is to wipe out the disgrace you have cast upon yourself and your family," added the major warmly. "I induced your officers to look upon it as a freak of a boy, and by returning to your duty you can soon wipe out the stigma." "I shall not become a common soldier if I can help it. My father and mother will stand by me, if the rest of you do not," said Percy.