xo 44

"I am very glad to see you, Uncle Job," said Christy, taking the hand of the venerable colored person. "I thank you for the service rendered to my officer. Now, Mr. Pennant, you will come to my cabin and make your report. Bring Uncle Job with you."

chat dafabet "For these reasons, I do not believe this fort is of much account." "I have, captain; and it is in my own handwriting," replied the officer addressed. "Then I am to do duty as a figure-head, am I?" laughed Christy. "No, you don't," interposed Mr. Blowitt. "You are commanding a little gunboat, though you are only eighteen." "At Bonnydale, on the Hudson," answered Corny, as we may call him now that the reader knows who he is. "I expect they have sent all the strong ones up to work on the fortifications." "I reported to the department that I had only a single vacant stateroom in the ward room of the Vernon, and I was ordered to receive Lieutenant Christopher Passford as a passenger, as I could not take another officer," said the captain. "It is not a serious question compared with others at issue, but the occupation of the single room, now in possession of the gentleman who came on board last evening, depends upon the result of our present inquiry."