On The Blockade

aking a glance at it as a whole. The interested observer could see that he fixed his gaze upon the last part of the letter, the extract from

nd he began to write very rapidly. Christy went into his state room, where he kept all his important papers in his desk. He gave himself up to a cons

he, supposing th

d his reply to the knock, for he had heeded it instantly, and he smiled at the manner in which the conspira

ake," Christy read on the tablet. It was not impossible that he had made a mistake in copying his letter; but the object of Mulgrum in desiring to see the

overed. He looked at the blind letter, and then at the other. There was certainly an error, for his letter said "and they comprise about one of crew of each vessel." This was nonsense, for he had accidentally omitted the word "half" a

d not make it again. Then he wrote on his tablet, after the captain had approved his work, that he found the table very uncomfortable to write upon while the ship was pitching so smartly, and suggested that he should be allowed to make the rest of the copies on the desk in

ble to the commander. Christy locked his desk and all the drawers that contained papers, not as against a thief or a burglar, but against one who would scorn to appropriate anything of

playing a game of whist with him. He was determined to beat him if he could. But he was not satisfied with locking his papers up; he called Dave, and set him as a watch over them. If the conspirator overhauled his papers,

e foaming billows, and conveying to one walking her deck the impression of solidity and strength. The captain went to the bridge after a while, though not till he had no

had been provided for, as she was provided with a duplicate steam-steering apparatus, as well as a hand wheel at the stern. The proper position of the officer of the watch, who is practically in command for the

, the first requirement to which was for all who wished to become members to sign the oath of allegiance to the United States government, "as represented by and presided over by the President at Washington." It was to be a secret society, and Flint added that it was

carry on our duty on board of the Bronx, though no blame is to be attached to the nava

aptain Passford?" asked the

e matter now stands, Dr. Spokeley and I are the only idlers on board in the cabin and ward room. The first lieutenant has to keep a watch, which is not at all regular, and I foresee that this arrangement will be a very great disad

is vessel, but we are shor

e ought to fall in with the Scotian and the Arran; and in view of such an event, I

very wise step to take,"

me, who is the best one for t

aying that Baskirk is the

as he left the bridge. But in a few minutes he re

who was the acting boatswain, though in rank he was only a boatswain's mate. He was directed to call all hands. When the ship's company were assembled on the forward deck, though this is not the usual place for such a gathering, the first lieutenant read the order of the commander appointing George Baskirk as acting third lieutenant of the Bronx,

ence in the size of the two persons. All the officers who kept watches were required to "take the sun," and at the moment the meridian was crossed, the captain gave the word to "make it noon," and the great bell sounded out eight bells. The officers proceeded to figure up the results of the observations. The longitude and latitude were ent

antly, as he led the way down from the bridge

nderous envelope which contained his orders. He seated himself between his two officers; but before he broke the great seal,

state room," whispered the stew

thful to your duty," said Christy,

of the huge envelope. He unfolded the inclosed inst

the size of the cabin and the nearness of his auditors seemed to demand. "'You will proceed with all reasonable despatch to the Gulf of Mexico, and report to the flag officer, or his r

s seemed to be u