RUNNING THE GANTLET Captain Passford and Percy soon followed Christy into the cabin, and the meeting of the brother and sister was quite as affectionate as that between father and son had been.

In fact, none of them cared now for the steamers of the enemy, or for any thing else, except to get out of Mobile Bay.

Christy told his story; and he learned that his father had sent a party ashore the night before to look for him, though they had been unable to obtain the slightest information in regard to him.
Captain Breaker insisted that Christy was on board of the Leopard, though not till the soldiers in the long-boat had fired into the tug.
The father believed that his son would not tamely submit to being made a prisoner, and the act of Major Pierson had almost convinced him that the commander was right.

He had not been fully satisfied on this point till he recognized the silk American flag at the fore of the tug.
But Captain Passford was too much interested in the situation on deck to remain long in the cabin, and he left Christy there with Florry, who seemed to be supremely happy, now that the family was in a fair way to be re-united at no distant day.
"I think you know the gentleman who has made all this trouble for me, Florry," said Christy, when he and Percy were alone with her.
"How can I know him ?" asked the fair girl, puzzled.
"He is my brother, Major Pierson; and they say he used to call at Colonel Passford's once in a while, while I was away at school," interposed Percy.
"Then I do know him," replied Florry, blushing.
"Father thought, or at least he feared, that you might not like to leave the South," added Christy.
"Did he say so ?" asked the fair maiden, laughing.
"He did not say a word, but I could tell by his looks." "Then papa was very much mistaken.

Major Pierson was very kind and polite to me, and I think he is a gentleman; but I have had no desire to remain at Glenfield on his account." Florry spoke as though she intended this remark to be the end of the conversation on that subject, and Christy felt quite sure that she was not deeply interested in the commander of Fort Gaines.
"Now, I wonder if I can't go on deck," continued Florry, breaking away from the disagreeable conversation.