"What steamer is that?" demanded the master of the tug.
Captain Breaker instructed him in what manner to make his reply, though he did not tell him what to say. The young man was to explain the character of the vessel as he understood it; and neither the commander nor the owner was disposed to indulge in any unnecessary strategetical falsehood, though they felt that they could do so in the service of the Union.
"The Bellevite from Nassau," replied Percy.
"Is she a Federal vessel?" inquired the captain of the tug with the greatest simplicity.
"A Federal vessel!" exclaimed Percy, evidently expressing by his manner some of the indignation he felt. "Do you mean to insult me, sir?"
"No, I do not mean to insult you; but it becomes necessary for me to ascertain something more in regard to the steamer," returned the other. "Where are you from?"
"I told you the vessel was from Nassau."
"But she don't hail from Nassau. Where did she come from before that?"
"From Bermuda," answered Percy, as instructed.
"But she don't belong to Bermuda."