The depth of water was the only directory he had in addition to the distance run, which was very indefinite without a knowledge of the speed of the vessel.
"By the mark six!" shouted the port leadsman, who was on the side nearest to the island of Santa Rosa.
This did not induce the pilot to take any further action, and the Teaser continued on her course at less than half speed.

Christy looked at his watch by the light of the binnacle lamps.

It was half-past eleven, and the Teaser appeared, as well as he could calculate it, with the necessary allowances, to have made at least sixteen knots on the run from the sound channel.
"And a quarter five!" cried the leadsman of the land side.
Christy spoke to Sampson through the tube, and the result was a further reduction in the speed of the steamer, Beeks, who was at one side of the wheel while the lieutenant was at the other, seemed to be a little nervous as the depth diminished; and if he had spoken his thought, he would have expressed his surprise that his superior officer was running the steamer so near the shore, with the apparent intention of going still nearer.
"Mark under water three!" yelled the leadsman on the port side, while the one on the starboard gave "By the mark four." "Shoaling fast," said Beeks.
"Yes; but as expected," replied Christy.
"Steamer, ahoy!" shouted a voice on the port side.
"On shore!" replied Christy promptly.
"What steamer is that ?" demanded the shore speaker.
"The Teaser, prize to the United States ship Bellevite," answered the lieutenant.
"Boga-hobble-good!" continued the man on shore.
"Rabble-gabble-weed!" responded Christy.
"There's a Chinaman on shore there; but I am glad you speak his language," said Beeks, trying to repress his laughter.
"You are all right as to position!" shouted the islander.
"The guard-boat must be about a mile astern of me," added Christy.
"We will take care of that," replied the shore speaker.
Christy rang to stop the engine, which was done, though the steamer continued to go ahead under the impetus of her former headway.

The leadsman on the port side reported two fathoms a little later, and then there was a ring to back her, for there could not be more than two foot of water under the keel.

At this moment the peal of a twelve-pounder came from the shore, and a little later the bursting of a shell was heard astern of the Teaser.
Beeks was very much perplexed by the strange speech which had passed between the lieutenant and the shore, and now by the discharge of the gun on the island; but he was a well-disciplined quartermaster, and he asked no questions.
"I don't think that boat will come any farther this way," said Christy, as a second report from the gun reached his ears.
"Then I suppose the shots we hear are directed at the boat," added Beeks.
"They can hardly be directed at anything out in that fog and darkness; but I don't think the guard will be willing to take the risk of a chance shell bursting near them," added Christy.
"On board the Teaser!" shouted a voice quite near the bow of the steamer.
"In the boat!" replied Christy.