He had sailed in the Florence very often, and he knew all about her.

He took a boathook, and planted its point on the beach, in readiness to shove off.
"Not yet, Corny," said the naval officer, as he sprang lightly to the deck of the sailboat.

"Let us see where we are before we do anything." Captain Carboneer seated himself on one of the cushioned seats in the standing-room, and looked about him.

A steamer towing a multitude of canal boats was approaching, and he waited for it to pass.

Then no steamer or other craft was to be seen on the river.
"So far as I have been able to discover, there are only two men on board of the Bellevite, and I think we have not a moment to lose," said the naval officer, when he saw that the river was clear of everything that might interfere with his plans.