"I am much obliged to you, Mr. Amblen, for the information you have given me, and your services will probably be in demand this very night," added the commander, rising from his chair.
"I am ready for duty at all times, sir," replied Mr. Amblen, as he retired from the cabin.
The charts were then consulted, and sundry calculations were made. At one o'clock that night the Bronx was off Cedar Keys.
[CHAPTER XXII]
A NIGHT EXPEDITION IN THE BOATS
During the evening Captain Blowitt had consulted his officers, and arranged his plans for operations, or at least for obtaining information in regard to the situation inside of North Key, where the landing place is situated. He had already arranged to give the command of the boat expedition to Christy, with the second lieutenant in another boat, Mr. Amblen being with the executive officer in the first.
"Now, Mr. Passford, I do not expect you to capture the whole State of Florida, and if you should return without accomplishing anything at all, I shall not be disappointed, but I shall feel that you have done everything that could be done," said the captain, with a very cheerful smile, when all had been arranged.
"I shall endeavor to obey my orders, Captain Blowitt, if I can do so in the exercise of a reasonable prudence," replied Christy, who took in all that his superior looked, as well as all that he said.
"A reasonable prudence is decidedly good, coming from you, Mr. Passford," said the captain, laughing outright.
"Why is it decidedly good from me rather than from anybody else?" asked Christy, somewhat nettled by the remark.