THE POST OF DUTY AND OF DANGER The long-boat, with the increased experience of its crew, was doing very well, and it would soon be within hailing-distance of the Bellevite.

But Major Pierson could hardly help discovering that the Leopard was under way, though he seemed to give his whole attention to the boat and the steamer ahead of him.
Christy went aft to ascertain the situation of the steamer from the north-west, and with the glass he satisfied himself that she was not exactly a river steamer, such as he had seen on the Alabama; or, if she was, she had been altered to fit her for duty on the bay.
He could see that she had brass guns on her forward deck, and a considerable force of soldiers or sailors.

But she was a nondescript craft, and he was unable to make her out accurately, though by this time she was not more than half a mile distant.

No immediate danger was to be apprehended from her, unless she opened fire with the field-pieces on her deck.

As the Leopard was in the service of the forts, she was not likely to do this till she knew more of the present situation on board of her.
Christy had made up a new course for the tug when he saw the change in the working of the long-boat, and the approaching steamer had an influence in his calculations.