THE ATTEMPT TO PASS INTO MOBILE BAY The tug appeared to be one of the craft which had been hastily prepared for service, and she did not look like a formidable vessel.

Captain Breaker was sure he could blow her out of the water with his heavy guns, on an emergency; but this would be bad policy, and he did not propose to do any thing of this kind.
He was not as confident as Captain Passford and his son were that the plan adopted would be an entire success, with the assistance of Percy; but there could be no harm in trying it.

He intended to pass as near Fort Gaines as possible, for it was not probable that the works were yet in the best condition; and two miles from Fort Morgan, which was doubtless much stronger, would afford a better chance of escaping any shots fired from it.
As the Bellevite approached the channel, where there could not be more than a foot of water under her keel, Christie came on deck, followed by Percy.

The latter wore a sort of naval uniform, which his instructor had borrowed for him from his own stock.

It fitted him well; for he was no larger than the owner's son, though he was two years older.
Percy was to be on duty, on board of the steamer, as a Confederate agent taking the vessel into the bay for service.