There could be no doubt she would have been a blockade runner, if there had been any blockade to run at the entrance to the port.

Christy decided to board the steamer between the two keys, the channel passing between Snake and Seahorse.
The first cutter fell back so that Christy could communicate with Mr.
Flint, and he instructed him to take a position off the Snake Key, where his boat could not be discovered too soon, and board the steamer on the port side, though he did not expect any resistance.

Each cutter took its position and awaited in silence the approach of the blockade runner.

The only thing Christy feared was that she would come about and run back to the port, though this could only delay her capture.
The steamer, as well as the officers could judge her in the distance, was hardly larger than the Bronx.

They concluded that she must be loaded with cotton, and at this time it was about as valuable a cargo as could be put on board of her.