But the boat seemed to be wasting her time, for nothing had been done since the threat to fire into the steamer.
"If a vessel is going to run out she has to satisfy this boat that she is all right," said Dave.
But he had hardly spoken before a volley of musket-balls passed over the Teaser; and perhaps the officer in the boat intended that they should pass over her.

At any rate no harm was done by them.

Then a rocket darted from the boat up into the air, which could be dimly seen from the pilot-house.
"What steamer is that ?" shouted a hoarse voice out of the gloom.
"The Teaser!" yelled Christy, with all the voice he could command.
The boat did not fire again; and if it had done so the steamer was out of its reach.

But a minute later the boom of a great gun came across the bay.

Fort Barrancas had evidently opened fire in response to the rocket, which had no doubt been sent up as a signal to notify the garrison that a vessel was going out or coming in, and that her movements were not regular.