"All the crew are not loyal," replied Christy, as he explained the instructions he had given to the steward.
"But most of the crew must be loyal, for twenty of the old seamen remain on board, and every one of them is as true as steel," Mr. Flint insisted.
"But the conspirators do not intend that any issue shall be raised until the vessel is under the guns of a Confederate fort. Doubtless Mr. Galvinne, whom I look upon as the actual commander of the steamer, for Corny is no sailor, will run into Pensacola Bay under the American flag. Probably he is a pilot in these waters, and knows what signal to make to the Confederate forts."
"I don't believe he would attempt to run in while it is broad daylight," suggested Mr. Flint. "Captain Corny already has his sailing orders. They are sealed, but he is to proceed to the eastward. I should say that he would obey orders, and when it is time for him to break the seals this evening, he will come about, hug the shore of St. Rosa's till he comes to the entrance of the bay, when he will go in."
"If he does that, so much the better, for we shall have more time to prepare for a decided stroke," replied Christy. "I have my plan all ready, though of course it may fail, and to-night we may all be prisoners of war."
"But don't you believe it will be better to appeal to the flag-officer?" asked the second lieutenant.
"What good will that do?" demanded Christy. "My cousin has made out his case before the captain of the Vernon."
"But you had no witnesses then. You have twenty or thirty of them now. I know you, and so do all the members of the old crew."
"But it appears that you promptly accepted your commander in the person of my cousin," said Christy, laughing in spite of the gravity of the situation.
"If I had seen you and Corny together, I should have known which was which," pleaded Mr. Flint.