THE CASTING OFF OF THE TOWLINE Christy Passford had been through this channel at least half a dozen times in the Bellevite, and knew all the courses and bearings, though the latter did not count in the dense fog which had settled down on the vicinity of the fort.

The lights in the binnacle of the West Wind had not been put out, though they could not be noticed outside of the schooner.

The great fortress could not be seen, and it was as silent as a tomb.
"How does she head, Christy ?" asked Graines, as they met at the wheel.
"South a quarter west," replied the lieutenant, "which is the correct course.

The fog is very dense just now.

I think we have passed the obstructions by this time, though I do not know precisely where they are placed." "I should call it mighty ticklish navigation just here," added the engineer.
"It is all of that, or will be in five or ten minutes more.