"They took you for the pilot Gilder, and you did not tell them that you intended to run the blockade." "Of course I did not; if I had, they would have remained on board.

But the guard-boat attempted to stop us, and the artillery on the island fired into it, though it is probable that they did not hit it in the dense fog," Christy explained.

"Our men may have learned from the guard-boat that we took the steamer out through the main channel." "If they did they probably learned that the Teaser went out with the assistance of the garrison at the fort," suggested Mr.Blowitt.
"I am confident that the officer of the guard-boat would have no means of knowing that fact," argued Christy.

"Of course, he heard the firing in the neighborhood of the fort, and he would naturally conclude that they were firing upon the steamer to prevent her from running out." "That may be; but, to tell you the truth, Mr.Passford, I am afraid we shall not find these men," added the second lieutenant.

"From the firing we hear, I should judge that a movement of some kind is in progress, and our men may be better informed than you expect." "Of course, they may be; but I expect to find these men at some point along the shore," replied Christy, who thought the second lieutenant was just a little obstinate in not accepting his theory in full.
The steamer continued on her course to the eastward, and nothing more passed between the two principal officers in regard to the crew from Pensacola.