The nation has passed out of its ordeal of fire, and an excellent spirit on the part of both parties to the great strife is still growing and strengthening, in spite of an occasional exhibition of folly on both sides on the part of those who have not outlived the bitterness of the past, and who probably will not outlive it. The time will certainly come when the memories of the conflict, the repetition of the stories of the war, and even the partisan praise bestowed upon the heroes of both sides, will excite no more ill feeling than does an allusion to the War of the Roses in England. In this country the advocate of either side will tell his story, relate his history, and jingle his verse in his own way, and from his own standpoint. Those upon the other side will be magnanimous enough to tolerate him, at least in silence. Histories, romances, poems, and plays relating to the war, are produced in greater numbers as the gap between the days of battle and the days of peace widens; but the old fires are not rekindled, the old bitterness still slumbers, and the Great United Nation still lives on in perfect peace. The author hopes he has done nothing on these pages to impair the growing harmony between the two sections which have happily become one, or to impregnate the minds of those who have been born since the strife ended with any of its bitterness. He has endeavored to make as high-toned men on the one side as the other, with the same moral sentiment in the one party as the other, and to exhibit their only difference in the one great question of Union or Disunion. Dorchester, May 2, 1889. CONTENTS Page CHAPTER I. An Unexpected Visitor 15 CHAPTER II. A Difference of Opinion 27 CHAPTER III. The dignified Naval Officer 37 CHAPTER IV. Corny Passford plays Another Part 48 CHAPTER V. Captain Carboneer and his Party 59 CHAPTER VI. The Cabin of the Florence 70 CHAPTER VII. Midshipman Christy Passford 81 CHAPTER VIII. Arranging the Signals 92 CHAPTER IX. The Approach of the Vampire 103 CHAPTER X. A Shot from the Long Gun 114 CHAPTER XI. The Battle alongside the Bellevite 125 CHAPTER XII. The Prisoner of War 136 CHAPTER XIII. After the Battle 146 CHAPTER XIV. The Beginning of a Chase 157 CHAPTER XV. A Chase off the Bermudas 168 CHAPTER XVI. The Confederate Steamer Yazoo 179 CHAPTER XVII. A Satisfactory Order 190 CHAPTER XVIII. Lieutenant Passford in Command 201 CHAPTER XIX. Some Trouble on Board the Teaser 212 CHAPTER XX. Coming to the Point 223