"You are not going to sea for the fun of it, my son," replied Captain
Passford. "You are not setting out on a yachting excursion, but on the
most serious business in the world."

"I know and feel all that, father, but I have spent so many pleasant
days, hours, weeks, and months on board of the Bellevite, that I am
very sorry to leave her," added Christy Passford, who had put on his new
uniform, which was that of master in the United States Navy; and he was
as becoming to the uniform as the uniform was to him.

"You cannot well help having some regrets at leaving the Bellevite;
but you must remember that your life on board of her was mostly in the
capacity of a pleasure-seeker, though you made a good use of your time
and of your opportunities for improvement; and that is the reason why
you have made such remarkable progress in your present profession."

"I shall miss my friends on board of the Bellevite. I have sailed with
all her officers, and Paul Vapoor and I have been cronies for years,"
continued Christy, with a shade of gloom on his bright face.

"You will probably see them occasionally, and if your life is spared
you may again find yourself an officer of the Bellevite. But I think
you have no occasion to indulge in any regrets," said Captain Passford,
imparting a cheerful expression to his dignified countenance. "Allow me
to call your attention to the fact that you are the commander of this
fine little steamer. Here you are in your own cabin, and you are still
nothing but a boy, hardly eighteen years old."

"If I have not earned my rank, it is not my fault that I have it,"