He thought it must be the steamer seen the day before, as she could hardly be a blockade runner for the reason that she was headed towards the fleet.

If she desired to break through the blockading squadron, she would be likely to keep as far as possible from anything that might be an armed vessel.
Christy went to his state room to write an order for Mr.Amblen in the Havana, which was hardly a cable's length from the Vixen on the port side, the Aleppo being ahead of her.

He had already given his general orders to the prize masters, but this was a special one.

In the cabin he found Bertha, who had been awakened by the tramping of the men on deck.
"Pray what is the matter, Captain Passford ?" she asked, evidently somewhat alarmed.
"Nothing is the matter yet, Miss Pembroke, but something may be the matter within an hour or two, for there is a sail making for us," replied Christy with the smile he always wore when she spoke to him, or he to her.

"In other words there may be an action, for I must defend my convoy." "Is there any danger ?" she inquired.
"Of course there is, for a shot may come through the side of the ship anywhere and at any time.