There were a few sail in sight.
"We are all right on the course, Mr.Flint; now make it west," said Christy to the executive officer; and then went to his cabin for his breakfast, directing the officer of the deck to report to him when the steamer was off the South West Pass.
When he had finished his morning meal, he proceeded to study his chart again.

He had never been to the westward of the mouths of the Mississippi; but he had a chart of the entrance to Barataria Bay.

He examined it with the greatest care, and made himself familiar with the bearings and distances.

In about an hour after he left the deck, a messenger came to the door of the cabin to inform him that the South West Pass was in sight, bearing due north.
"Make the course west north-west," said he to the first lieutenant, as he joined him on the bridge.
"West north-west, sir," repeated the executive officer, as he gave it to the quartermaster at the wheel.
"We shall soon be where our operations begin; but I am afraid we are to have a lazy time of it," added Christy, as soon as the vessel's head had been pointed in the direction indicated.
"Why so, Captain Passford ?" asked Mr.Flint.
"Barataria Bay makes a big hole in the State of Louisiana, and most of it is shoal water.

At the south of it is the Isle Grande Terre, on the western end of which is a fort, which commands the entire channel," replied the captain.
"That's bad," added Mr.Flint, shaking his head.
"I have no idea of its strength; but I do not care to have the Bronx knocked to pieces by the big guns of a fort.