"I have heard some firing this morning, Captain Passford," said he as he seated himself at the table, and watched the expression of his host's countenance.
"Merely a couple of signals; the distant shot came from the Ocklockonee," replied Christy lightly.
"I thought it possible that you had fallen in with another steamer," added the guest.
"I have considered it more than possible, and within the limits of probability, that we should fall in with another steamer ever since we ran so opportunely upon the Scotian, as she was formerly called."
"Opportunely for you, but very inopportunely for me," added Captain Dinsmore with a faint smile.
"I am happy to inform you that we have passed beyond both possibility and probability, and come into the region of fact," continued Christy.
"Then you have made out a sail?" asked the guest anxiously.
"We have; a steamer on our port beam; and I am reasonably confident it is the vessel you supposed was coming alongside the Ocklockonee last evening."
"Indeed?" added the guest, as though he did not know just what to say, and did not mean to commit himself.
"In other words, I am almost sure this steamer is the Arran, though doubtless you have changed her name," said Christy, as he helped the other from the choicest dish on the table.