He could not see the Bellevite in the darkness, for he had directed the engineer to allow no light to be shown on board of her.
He had brought a little mathematics into his calculations, and he had pointed the big gun of the steamer so as to cover the craft with the walking-beam when she came in sight around this turn of the stream.

By this plan she was sure to come into the range of the piece, no matter on which side of the channel she was moving.
"Now, Mr.Watts, I have a further duty for you to perform," said Christy, as he explained his plan to the steward.

"We shall go down the river till we meet this steamer which conveys the enemy.

As you are a sailor as well as a caterer, you have a nautical eye, and when you have seen this steamer you will know her again." "Trust me for that.

If it is the old tub I think it is, I know her already," answered the steward.
"What steamer do you think it is ?" "The old Vampire; and if you give her much of a rap, she will go to the bottom without the least difficulty." "I don't care where she goes to, provided she don't put her passengers on board of the Bellevite.