"And quite as unexpected to me, I assure you, especially to meet the ladies," added the prisoner as he bowed low to Mrs. Passford and her daughter. "I had hoped I might meet Mrs. and Miss Passford before I returned to the South." "And you had even hoped to take one of them back with you as a passenger in the Bellevite," Christy interpolated, with great good nature. Major Pierson looked at him with a start, and it was his turn to be astonished. He was a prisoner, but he had the privilege of wondering how Christy knew so much about his affairs. "Captain Carboneer is a very obstinate man, and did not take kindly to the carrying of lady passengers in a man-of-war; but I think he was right, though my view may be of no consequence to you," added the young officer. "I have the highest opinion of Captain Carboneer, for he is a solid, substantial man. By the way. Major Pierson, who is he?" "He is Captain Carboneer," replied the major discreetly. "Perhaps he is Captain Carboneer; I don't know: things are not always what they seem, and I find that persons are not, either. Hasn't that been your experience, Mr. Mulgate--I beg your pardon, Major Pierson?" The prisoner frowned, and gave a fierce glance at the midshipman, as though he felt like annihilating him with a look. But he evidently considered just then that he was in the presence of the ladies, and perhaps that the flash of his eagle eye would not kill his tormentor, as the young man seemed to have become. "I am your prisoner, or somebody's prisoner, Captain Passford, and the tables are turned against me. Of course, you don't expect me to give information that will be of use to the enemies of my country." "Of course not." "When you were my prisoner, I think I treated you like a gentleman," added Major Pierson. "I think you did, sir; and that reminds me that your hands are tied behind you. You were so kind as to release me from my bonds when I was in your power"-- "And it was the stupidest thing I ever did in my life," interposed the prisoner, with some bitterness. "I am not familiar with the events of your life, and I cannot gainsay your remark." "You did not scruple to turn our own guns against us." "As you would have done if you had succeeded in capturing the Bellevite," added Christy, smartly. "This time makes twice that you did not capture her." "The third time may not fail." "It may not; but I must be as magnanimous as you were. Sampson, release the gentleman." "Thank you, Captain Passford; that is no more than I did for you when you were in the same situation." "But I suppose you will not undertake to capture this ship after I have done as well by you as you did by me. I intend to treat you like a gentleman, though the fortunes of war are against you. Now, perhaps you will not object to answering a question or two, in which there can be no treason." "I must be my own judge of the questions," replied the major, rather haughtily.