The other has gone up the bay." "She has gone on a fruitless errand, for there is not another vessel loading in these waters," said the captain.

"I suppose you will report on board of the Bellevite, Mr.Passford ?" "Of course I shall not leave the Reindeer without an order from the commander of the ship," replied the lieutenant.
"And a half two!" shouted the leadsman.
"The channel deepens," said Christy.
"You will be in deep water in five minutes." On this report Christy rang four bells, and the Reindeer went ahead at full speed.
"By the mark three!" called the man at the lead.
The water was deepening rapidly, and presently the report of three and a half fathoms came from the forecastle.

It was soon followed by "And a half four," upon which the lieutenant directed the wheelman to steer directly for the Bellevite.

He had hardly given the order before the report of heavy firing from the upper waters of the bay came to his ear.
"What can that be ?" he asked, looking at Captain Stopfoot.
"I don't know; but I suppose that the gunboat which went up the bay is firing at some battery she has discovered.

They have strengthened the works in that direction which defend the town, since the only one there was silenced by one of your gunboats," the captain explained.
The guns were heard on board of the Bellevite, and she began to move up the bay as though she intended to proceed to the assistance of her consort.