A minute later the quartermaster in the pilot house struck seven bells, which was repeated on the top-gallant forecastle of the Bronx, and he was confident this was what he had heard on board of the stranger.
"Quartermaster, strike one bell," he added.
"One bell, sir;" and the gong resounded from the engine room, and the speed of the Bronx was immediately reduced.
A minute later Christy obtained a full view of the steamer.

She was headed to the southwest, and her propeller was not in motion.

As the lookout had reported, she was the counterpart of the Bronx, though she was a larger vessel.

He gave some further orders to the quartermaster at the wheel, for he had decided to board the steamer on her port side.

The boarders had been concealed in proper places under this arrangement, and the captain had directed the course of the Bronx so that a shot from her could hardly do any harm, if she took it into her head to fire one.
"Arran, ahoy!" shouted a hoarse voice through a speaking trumpet from the steamer.
"On board the Scotian!" replied Christy through his trumpet.
After the vessel had hailed the Arran, the captain had no difficulty in deciding that the other craft was the Scotian; and he was especially glad that the officer of that vessel had hailed him in this particular form.