CHAPTER XXX.
A VERY IMPORTANT SERVICE The Reindeer went ahead at full speed, while the Bellevite stood up the bay, picking up the crew of Mr.Blowitt's boat on the way, evidently with the intention of taking part in the action which the Bronx had initiated.

The loud reports at intervals indicated that the Bronx was using her big midship gun, while the feebler sounds proved that the metal of the battery was much lighter.

The prize was not a fast steamer, and she was over an hour in making the dozen miles to Egmont Island, on which was the tower of a lighthouse forty feet high, but no use was made of it at that time.
The Bellevite proceeded very slowly, sounding all the time; but at the end of half an hour the Reindeer was at least ten miles from her, which was practically out of sight and hearing.

About this time Christy observed that Captain Stopfoot left the pilot-house, where he had remained from the first; but he paid no attention to him.

He had three men on the quarter-deck of the steamer, one in the pilot-house with him, and five more in other parts of the vessel.
Christy knew the channel to the south of the lighthouse, and piloted the steamer to a point about half a mile to the westward of the island.
He was looking through one of the forward windows of the pilot-house, selecting a proper place to come to anchor, in accordance with the orders of Captain Breaker.