Doubtless he had papers of some sort which would show that his vessel had cleared for Havana, or some port on the Gulf of Mexico.
Christy did not deem it wise to manifest any interest in the distant sail, and, fixing his gaze upon the deck-planks, he continued to walk back and forth, as he was doing when he discovered the steamer.

He had not been able to make out her course.

He had first seen her when she was in the act of turning, obtaining only a glance at the three masts.
Whether or not she was "end-on" for the Snapper, he could not determine, and Captain Flanger seemed to be studying up this question with no little earnestness.
The principal mission in these waters of the Chateaugay was to look up the Ovidio, of which Captain Passford in New York had obtained some information through his agents.

This vessel was not simply a blockade-runner, but was intended for a cruiser, though she had sailed from Scotland without an armament.

It was known that she would proceed to Nassau, and this fact had suggested to Mr.Gilfleur his visit to that port to obtain reliable information in regard to her, as well as incidentally to look into the methods of fitting out vessels for running the blockade.
Captain Chantor was expecting to fall in with the Ovidio, even before the return of his two passengers.