"I am afraid I shall; and I fear, that, in the absence of my father, he would put me into the ranks in spite of all I could do."

"But your mother is at home."

"Lindley don't care a rush for what she says in this matter, for he insists that a boy of eighteen ought not to be tied to his mother's apron-strings when his country needs his services, I may see my brother before we get fairly into the bay."

"Where in the world are you going to see him before you get on shore?" asked Christy, becoming more interested in the conversation.

"I believe he is in command of the garrison at Fort Gaines, though I am not sure," replied Percy, suddenly looking more disconsolate than ever at the prospect of meeting his patriotic brother.

"What makes you think he is?" asked Christy, with the feeling that he might be on the point of obtaining some useful information.

"They talked of sending him there before father and I left for New Providence."

"I supposed your brother was a young fellow like yourself."

"I believe he is twenty-six years old; but he has been two years in a military school in North Carolina, and they say he is a good soldier, and knows all about guns and forts and such things."

"Where do you think we are likely to overhaul him?"

"I don't know much about this business; but don't a boat have to come out from the fort and see that this vessel is all right before she can go into the bay?" asked Percy.

"I don't know about that. We may run into the bay without waiting for any boat."

"Then they fire on you from the fort," suggested the disconsolate.

"We rather expect that," added Christy quietly.

"You do?"

"Of course, a shot from the fort may blow us out of the water; but we can't help that, and we must take our chances of being hit."

"But that is terribly risky business, and the whole of us may be killed before we get by the fort."

"Of course: that may be the case; but we have no papers, and we have to take things as they come."

"It isn't pleasant to take cannon-balls as they come, for they are apt to hit hard. But they won't fire at us if a boat comes off to examine the vessel."

"But in that case you will have the pleasure of meeting your brother the major."

"And whatever he may do with the steamer, he will take me to the fort with him, and put me into the ranks."

"Perhaps we can save you from such a fate in some way," suggested Christy, who was already doing some heavy thinking on his own account.

"I wish you would!" exclaimed Percy, catching at the straw held out to him.

"There is time enough, and I will see you again," added Christy, as he joined his father on the forecastle, where lie was taking a survey.