"But it seems to me they are making a good deal of a racket off there," he added, as the noise of pistol shots and the clash of cutlasses came over the smooth waters of the gulf.
"They seem to be at it quite earnestly," replied Christy.
"By the way, how many men did you leave on board of the Teaser ?" asked the privateersman, whose manner seemed to have suddenly become considerably changed.
"How many men ?" repeated the lieutenant of the Bellevite.
"That is the question I asked," replied the lieutenant of the Teaser.
"I suppose you would not believe me if I should tell you," answered Christy.
"I judge that you can speak the truth if you try," added Lonley, with more asperity than the occasion seemed to require.
"I know that I could," said Christy, very decidedly; "and I may add that I was in the habit of doing so on all occasions before this cruel war began." "Then suppose you try to do so just now, and tell me how many men your people had on board of the Teaser." "You must excuse me for the present, for I do not like to make statements to one who will not believe what I say," answered Christy, rather facetiously.
"You are a prisoner now." "I am painfully aware of the fact, but I doubt if the government service will suffer very much in my absence from duty." "You are too modest by half, Mr .-- but I have not even the pleasure of knowing your name, and conversation is annoying under such circumstances." "I am simply Midshipman Passford, at your service." "Only a midshipman!" exclaimed Lonley.

"Upon my word, you ought to be a commodore.

Passford?
Possibly you are a cousin of Colonel Passford of Glenfield." "Colonel Passford is my uncle.

Do you know him ?" asked Christy.
"I do know him; and there is not a finer man or a truer patriot in the South than Colonel Passford.

He is loading a schooner with cotton, and he offered me the command of it.