"Perhaps you did not exactly meet me, Captain Carboneer; but, at any rate, we were in the same boat together."
"I suppose we met, if at all, on the Hudson, in connection with the Bellevite. Your people have not been as fortunate to-day with their gunnery practice as on that occasion," suggested the captain.
"Now, Captain Carboneer, will you kindly inform me in regard to the status of this vessel? Is she a naval vessel, or simply a blockade runner?"
"She is both; and I am sorry for your sake to inform you that you are a prisoner of war."
"I supposed I was."
"Perhaps you will be willing to inform me what became of Major Pierson and Corny Passford—the latter a cousin of yours, I believe?"
"Like myself, the major is a prisoner of war. Corny was injured in the disaster to the Vampire, as you are aware; he is also a prisoner, but on parole, remaining at my father's house to be healed."
"I have to regret to-day more than ever before that we failed to capture the Bellevite, for I find that she is even faster than the Yazoo," added the captain.
"The Yazoo?"
"Formerly the Killbright, but now the Yazoo."