He sighted across the piece, and, in a moment more, his mind seemed to have settled on the policy to be pursued in the present dangerous emergency.

Perhaps the capture of a steamer under such circumstances was a thing unheard of at that time, but doubtless it looked simple enough to those who were engaged in the enterprise.
"Do you think of engaging the enemy at long range, Christy ?" asked Paul, with a smile on his fine face, as seen by the light of the lantern which Sampson had brought to the place.
"I think of beating them off in any way we can," replied the middy, as his friends all called him from that time.

"I have the gun pointing to a certain object on the river, which Captain Carboneer's steamer must pass.

He can't help putting his craft where the muzzle of this piece will cover it; and if we pull the lock-string at that instant, the shot will knock his steamer all to pieces, and spill the conspirators into the river." "If you hit her," suggested Paul.
"You can't very well help hitting her.

Just squint along that gun, and see where the shot will bring up." Paul complied with this request, and took a long look over the great gun.
"I should say that it was pointed a little too high," said he.
"Perhaps it is; I have not fixed it just as I mean to have it.