It was evident enough to him that he had to run the gantlet of the party on board of the Vampire in descending the river.

As the shot had hit the walking-beam of the steamer, it was not probable that she was seriously injured in her hull, if at all.
Some of the enemy had doubtless been hurt by the fall of the pieces of machinery, but Christy could not believe that the conspirators were disabled, as the vessel was.

The enemy might make an attempt to board the Bellevite as she passed down the river, for the accident must have rendered the party more desperate than before.

In the face of a failure to capture the Bellevite at her anchorage, which had seemed so easy a matter to the leaders of the expedition, they would be ready to take any chances of success that came in their way.
"Cable all out, sir," reported Boxie.
Not without some heavy doubts, Christy rang the bell to go ahead.

He had no one in the pilot-house with whom he could consult except the two quartermasters, for Paul was in charge of the engine, and he could no more leave it than the midshipman could leave the wheel.