I hope your father is in good health, as well as your mother and sister." "All very well." "I have not heard a word from any of you for about five months," continued Colonel Passford.

"In fact, not since you were here in May." "We got home all right, and the Bellevite is a man-of-war now.

She captured one valuable prize off the coast of Carolina, and another at Pensacola," replied Christy cheerfully.
"She ought never to have been allowed to leave Mobile Bay," added the colonel.
"Your people certainly did everything they could to prevent her from leaving, and I hope you don't blame yourselves for letting her go.

What about Corny, sir ?" asked Christy.
"Major Pierson was very much to blame for permitting the Bellevite to pass the forts when she came in, and he lost his command.

But he has devoted all his life to redeem his fault by her recapture.