"As you are doubtless aware, by a series of lakes, bayous, and a canal which comes out near Carrollton, just above New Orleans, water communication is open to the Mississippi River for small vessels." "Do you say that Captain Flanger has been a smuggler in these waters ?" "I think the Russian said so." "In that case, probably Mike was with him, and he may be a useful man to us as a pilot," replied Christy.

"The commodore says the Western Gulf squadron had no steamer that was suitable for this service, for there is only nine feet of water on the bar of Barataria at low water.

For this reason he had been requested to send the Bronx, not only on account of her light draft, but of her speed." The commander read his orders through.

It was believed that vessels were loading with cotton there, towed down in flatboats by small steamers, and that a steamer of four hundred tons was fitting out in the bay as a privateer.

It might not be practicable for the Bronx to go into the bay; but she was to do what she could to capture the cotton vessels and the steamer when they came out.
Mr.Flint went to his stateroom, and turned in; but Christy spread his chart of the Gulf of Mexico, and using his parallel ruler, he found that the present course of the Bronx would take her to the Pass a Loutre, the most northerly entrance of the Mississippi River.