Although the craft on the starboard bow could hardly be distinguished in the fog, Christy had sent a trusty seaman aloft to report on the color of the smoke that issued from her funnel.
This man had reported by swinging his cap in the air, as the captain had instructed him to do if he found that the smoke was that of soft coal.
If there was no black smoke, he was to return to the deck without making any sign.

The moment therefore that the man had been able to see the quality of the smoke, the commander was made as wise as though he had seen it himself.

The information left him no doubt that the steamer was intended to run the blockade; but whether or not she was one of the expected pair, of course he could form no opinion, for already this part of the ocean had begun to swarm with vessels in this service.
"I am beginning to make her out a little better," said Flint, who had been straining his eyes to the utmost capacity, as everybody else on board was doing, to obtain the best and earliest information in regard to the stranger on the starboard bow.
"What do you make out, Mr.Flint ?" asked Christy, who was too busily employed in watching the movements of the officers and seamen on his own deck to give especial attention to the character of the other steamer.
"I can't see well enough yet to say anything in regard to details," replied the first lieutenant.

"I can only make out her form and size; and she seems to be as nearly like the Bronx as one pea is like another, though I should say that she was longer." "Is she in motion ?" asked the captain with interest.
"She appears to be at rest, though it is possible that she is moving very slowly; but if she has not stopped her screw, she is not going more than four knots." "You say that she is built like the Bronx, Mr.Flint ?" asked Christy anxiously.
"Just like her; I should say that both hulls came out of the same mould." "That very nearly settles the question in my mind.

Probably she was designed by the same naval architect, and constructed by the same builders, as the Bronx," replied Christy, gazing intently at the dim outlines of the steamer in the fog.