"Well, no; not exactly; but this steamer is nothing but a blockade runner, and such craft don't take prisoners." "I hardly know what she is yet; she is a blockade runner, but she appeals to be something more than that. She hoisted the Confederate flag, and her people stood by their guns like brave men. I count myself as a prisoner of war," said Christy, to the increased disgust of his companion. "What do you suppose they will do with us?" asked Beeks, looking as though he had not a friend in the world, though he had always been a very brave and active fellow when there was anything to do. "I don't know, but I suppose she will run the blockade into the Cape Fear River, and we may be taken up to Wilmington." While they were talking about it, they saw a group of officers coming to the forward deck, where they had remained since they came on board. They appeared to be examining the steamer to ascertain what damage she had sustained. Her bulwarks had been torn off, and she had suffered not a little from shot; but she did not appear to be very seriously damaged. At the head of the party was one who had a uniform, and dignity enough to be the commander of the ship. "Who are those two men forward?" asked this gentleman, as he called the attention of the others to the two strangers. No one knew who they were, and the captain continued to advance, looking very sharply at Christy, or at his uniform. The lieutenant thought he had seen the gentleman before, for it was quite impossible entirely to forget one with so much character in his face. "I am afraid I shall be obliged to call upon you, sir, to explain how you and your companion happen to be here, for I was not before aware of your presence." "I shall cheerfully explain, Captain Carboneer," replied Christy, recognizing the captain, and bowing politely. "Ah, you know me? But I have not the pleasure of your acquaintance, so far as I can remember," added the captain. "We met under some disadvantages so far as you are concerned, for I had the satisfaction of seeing you, though you did not see me," replied the lieutenant, looking very good-natured in spite of his situation as a prospective prisoner. "I must beg you to explain still further, Mr.--I have not the pleasure of knowing your name." "Passford, sir, Christopher Passford, midshipman in the United States Navy, and at present third lieutenant of the steamer Bellevite, which you can hardly make out at this moment, though I remember that you have seen her before," answered Christy, telling the whole story, as indeed his uniform had already done, so far as his rank was concerned. "I am very happy to meet you under present circumstances, Mr. Passford, though I am not yet informed where I met you before." "Perhaps you did not exactly meet me, Captain Carboneer; but, at any rate, we were in the same boat together."