Part 26 (1/2)
”I won't say another word about it, Mr. Pa.s.sford!” protested the captain. ”But I hope your mother will have a chance to read Captain Breaker's report of the action, for he and I are of the same opinion in regard to the conduct of your son.”
”My husband will doubtless bring me a copy of it,” added the lady.
In deference to the wishes of Christy, nothing more was said about the action, at least so far as it related to him. After some general conversation, the surgeon suggested that he had not dressed the wounds of his patients that day, and the commander was a.s.sisted to the princ.i.p.al guest chamber, while the lieutenant went to his own apartment.
Captain Pa.s.sford was detained three days in Was.h.i.+ngton by important business at the Navy Department. Captain Breaker's report of the action resulting in the capture of the Tallahatchie had reached its destination, and the proud father was in possession of all the details of the battle. He telegraphed and wrote to his son; and it was another joyful occasion at Bonnydale when he arrived there.
Dr. Davidson remained at the mansion for three weeks, until his patients were convalescent, though he went every day to the hospital of the prisoners of war to see the wounded of his s.h.i.+p. Captain Pa.s.sford had given the visitors a very cordial and hearty welcome on his return, and expressed his grat.i.tude to them for their kindness to his son in the strongest terms. He did every possible thing to promote their comfort and happiness, and the reign of Christianity continued at Bonnydale as it had been begun on board of the Bellevite and the Tallahatchie.
In two weeks Christy's wound had practically healed, though his arm was not yet the equal of the other. His father spent all the time he could spare at home, and long talks between father and son were the order of the day. The lieutenant had been informed on his arrival of the death of Mr. Pembroke, Bertha's father, two months before; but she had gone to visit an uncle in Ohio, and Christy had not yet seen her.
”I expect Miss Pembroke will be here to-morrow, Christy,” said Captain Pa.s.sford one day, about three weeks after his return. ”I suppose you are of the same mind in regard to her.”
”I am, father,” replied Christy, for he was about the same as a younger brother in his relations with him. ”But I have not heard a word from her, any more than from you, since I left home.”
”There has been no occasion to send a store-s.h.i.+p or other vessel to the Eastern Gulf squadron, though one sailed about a week before your arrival, and letters were forwarded to you,” replied the captain.
”Doubtless one or more went from her to you. She cannot have heard of your arrival; for I lost the address of her uncle in Ohio, and we could not write to her. Her father had a little property; and at her request I have been appointed her guardian, and she will reside at Bonnydale in the future.”
Bertha Pembroke arrived the next day, and what Christy needed to complete his happiness was supplied, and now his cup was overflowing.
But he did not forget that he still owed a duty to his suffering country. Even the fascinations of the beautiful girl could not entice him to remain in his beloved home while his arm was needed to help on the nation's cause to a victorious Union.
At the end of four weeks, he felt as well as ever before in his life, and he was impatient to return to the Bellevite. For a week before he had been talking to his father about the matter; and Bertha knew her betrothed, as he was by this time, too well to make any objection to his intended departure.
The Tallahatchie had been promptly condemned, and the fact that she was a superior vessel for war purposes, and her great speed compared with most vessels in the navy, had caused her to be appropriated to the use of the government. Orders had been given weeks before for her thorough repair and better armament, all of which had been hastily accomplished.
Christy had not been to New York since his return; and for some reason of his own, his father had said very little to him about the service, perhaps believing that his son had better give his whole mind to the improvement of his health and strength.
”I hope you have found a vessel by which I can return to the Eastern Gulf squadron, father,” said Christy one morning, with more earnestness than usual. ”I begin to feel guilty of neglect of duty while I am loafing about home.”
”Don't trouble yourself, my son,” replied Captain Pa.s.sford, who seemed to be rather exhilarated about something. ”You shall return to your duty in due time, though not in exactly the same position as before.”
”Am I to be appointed to some other s.h.i.+p, father?” asked Christy, gazing earnestly into the captain's face to read what was evidently pa.s.sing in his mind, for it made him very cheerful.
”You are to sail in another s.h.i.+p, Christy; but wait a minute and I will return,” said Captain Pa.s.sford, as he left the sitting-room and went to his library.
Opening his safe he took from it a ponderous envelope bearing official imprints, and returned to the sitting-room. Handing it to his son, he dropped into an arm-chair and observed him with close attention.
”What's this, father?” asked the young officer.
”I have had it about three weeks, but waited for your entire recovery before I gave it to you,” replied the captain. ”Open it.”
Christy did so, read it, and then in his excitement, dropped it on the floor. It was his commission as a lieutenant-commander.
CHAPTER XXV
THE PRINc.i.p.aL OFFICERS OF THE ST. REGIS
Christy Pa.s.sford was astounded and confounded when he read the commission. He modestly believed that he had already been promoted beyond his deserving, though no one else, not even his father, thought so. He had not sought promotion at any time, and he had been hurried through four grades in something over three years. He was the heir of millions, and he had given all his pay to wounded sailors and the families of those who had fallen in naval actions.