"Stand by your helm with your best man!" Graines had just gone aft, and had taken the wheel of the vessel; but Christy sent French to take his first trick at the helm.

The tide was still setting into the bay, and it was within half an hour of the flood.
The schooner was beginning to sway off from the shore as the tide struck her, when the gong bell in the engine-room of the steamer was heard.

She went ahead very slowly, and straightened the towline.

Christy took a careful survey of its fastenings, to assure himself that it was all right, and then mounted the cotton bales, to observe the progress of the vessel.
Of course the steamer was under the direction of a skilful pilot, doubtless the best that could be had, for the present venture was an exceedingly important one to the Confederate cause.

The Tallahatchie was perhaps a better vessel than any of those which had done so much mischief among the ships of the loyal American marine, and in no manner could the Southern cause be more effectually assisted than by these cruisers.
As the vessels headed to the southward, Christy went to the binnacle, and watched the course..