A VARIETY OF NIGHT SIGNALS The dip of the oars of the guard-boat could be distinctly heard in the pilot-house, and it was probable that the men in it could see the Teaser.

But Christy was not much concerned about the situation, and he was not much disposed to give any attention to the boat.
"Stop her, or we will fire into you!" yelled the officer in charge of the guard-boat.
Even this menace did not induce the lieutenant to ring his bell to stop the engine.

The boat was doubtless full of men, and as he could not give straight answers to all the questions that might be put to him, it might provoke a fight to attempt to do so, and he decided not to incur the risk.

His prisoners might make trouble if he reduced the guard in charge of them, as he would be obliged to do to beat off the attack of the boat.
"What is this boat here for, Dave ?" asked Christy, as he peered through the gloom to obtain a glance at the craft.
"To keep the people at Fort Pickens from sending out any armed force," replied the intelligent contraband.
"Do they think a boat full of men could do that ?" "No, sir; but they could give the forts on the other side warning." The sounds from the boat had come from the starboard bow of the steamer, and it looked as though the guard-boat had intercepted her by accident, since it was impossible that they could have seen the Teaser in the fog and gloom.

As the steamer dashed ahead at full speed, the sound of the oars came from a point on the beam.