It was very important that the Teaser should not be permitted to get out of the bay, for she might do a great deal of mischief to the shipping of the nation.
"I don't believe the stories of the negroes," said Captain Breaker, as he was discussing the situation with his officers.

"I know the port very well, and I have no idea where the mouth of the lagoon is, or even if it has any mouth in Pensacola Bay." "Wherever the Teaser may be waiting her chance, this is a good night for a start," replied Mr.Dashington.
"Of course the officers of Fort Pickens are on the lookout for the saucy little craft," added Mr.Blowitt.
"Captain Westover is still on board, and you are to send him to the fort, are you not, Captain Breaker ?" asked Christy.
"Yes; as soon as he is ready to go," replied the captain.

"He has given all the information he has in regard to the Teaser; but he has not seen her to-day, and he does not believe she is in the lower bay, but that she is somewhere in the vicinity of the Navy Yard." "If you will excuse me, Captain Breaker, I don't believe she means to come out by the main channel, for her people know that the eyes of the officers of Fort Pickens are wide open," suggested Christy, with a good deal of diffidence.
"How do you think she will come out, Mr.Passford ?" asked the captain, with a smile.
"By Santa Rosa Sound, sir," replied the third lieutenant.
"Possibly you are right, Mr.Passford, though I do not think you are," added the commander, thoughtfully.

"Santa Rosa Sound is about forty miles long, and there is hardly water enough in it, up and down, to float a raft, to say nothing of a steamer." But later in the day, the captain called Christy aside, and had a long talk with him, the charts open before them.

It certainly did not look like a very hopeful enterprise to take a steamer through such a sound as that described.
"But we have no correct information in regard to the anchorage of the Teaser, and I have decided to obtain it if possible.