No variation of the drift lead had been reported, and the Bronx was not even swinging at her anchor.

For an hour longer entire silence was preserved on the deck, and the lookout made no further report.
"There is some sort of commotion among the men on the top-gallant forecastle," said Mr.Pennant, while Christy was still studying the situation, and one of the men was seen in the act of hurrying aft.
"I heard men's voices off to the eastward," said this man, when he had mounted the bridge, and touched his hat to the officers there; and he spoke in a whisper, in conformity with the orders given.
"Could you hear any slapping of a paddle wheel, or other noises that sound like a steamer ?" asked Christy in the same low tone.
"No, sir; nothing but the voices; but I think the speakers must be in a vessel of some sort, for the sound since I first heard it, and could hardly make it out, comes from farther south," replied the man.
"Take a force of twelve men, with pistols and cutlasses, Mr.Pennant, in the first cutter, and pull down to the south-east.

Whatever you find in the shape of a vessel or a boat, capture it, and return to the Bronx.
Get off with as little noise as possible, and muffle your oars." Silently Mr.Pennant selected his crew for the boat, saw them armed, and had the cutter lowered into the water.

In a very short space of time the boat was off.

The commander did not believe that anything very serious would result from this boat expedition, for he was confident there was no vessel of any size near the Bronx.