It seemed to be useless to attempt to get over the bar where he had tried to do so; and he directed the vessel towards the main ship-channel, finding plenty of water to enable him to reach it. But he would have to run the gauntlet of Fort Morgan, and the chances of a shot were against him.
"Do you mean to say that Percy is in charge of this steamer, Captain Breaker?" demanded Major Pierson, who had by this time recovered some portion of his self-possession.
"That is what both he and I said to you," replied Captain Breaker.
"And the vessel is to be in the service of the Confederate States," added Percy, with more pluck than he had displayed before. "If my brother will not let her pass into the bay, I will go on shore at Fort Morgan, and explain the situation to the officer in command," blustered Percy; and perhaps he would have done just as much under the circumstances if he had known the vessel was on the other side in the coming conflict.
"Where are your papers, sir?" asked the major.
"We have no papers; and that is why I am come in charge of the steamer," replied the agent, who seemed to be quite able to strain a point when necessary.
"We met Colonel Richard Pierson in Nassau, and I believe he is your father and Mr. Percy's," answered Captain Breaker.
"He is; but I can hardly understand how he happened to send my brother home in charge of this fine steamer," said the major, glancing at his brother.
"Going into the army is not all the duty a man has to do for his country," said Percy warmly.
"May I ask where this vessel came from?" inquired the commander of the fort.