"If we take the ground, we shall have some small chance of getting off .-- Mr.Dashington." "On duty, sir," responded the first officer.
"Beeks has the wheel, I believe ?" "Yes; and Thayer is with him." "They are both reliable men; but I wish you would stand by the helm, and see that the steamer is headed directly towards the eastern end of Dauphine Island.

That will give us the deepest water till we get to the spit.

Have a man in the port and starboard chains with directions to sound as fast as possible." "Mr.Blowitt," called the first officer, "let a hand sound in the port and starboard chains, and look out for it yourself, if you please." The second officer went forward and the first officer aft, each to perform the duties assigned to him by the captain.

The speed of the Bellevite had been reduced, and she was going along at a very easy rate.
The tug was some distance beyond Fort Gaines when she was first seen, and she seemed to be incapable of making more than six knots an hour.
The steamer had taken on board all the coal it was possible for her to stow away in her bunkers, and a large supply had been put into the hold; but she had used a considerable portion of it in her rapid passage, though she had still an abundant supply for her return voyage.

The reduction in the quantity had made her draught somewhat less, and the owner and captain hoped she would get through the channel.
But the thought had hardly passed through their minds before the Bellevite came to a sudden stop, and her keel was heard grinding on the bottom.