Now tell me how I am to steer." "Run for that point you see far off to the northward." Christy went to the main deck forward, where he found Captain Pecklar getting the field-piece ready for use.

The Belle was now quite near on the one hand, while the Dauphine was hardly farther off on the other hand.

The Bellevite was coming down from the north-east, with the lead still going in her chains.

The immediate danger was to come from the Belle.
"That won't do!" exclaimed Captain Pecklar, when they had the gun in position for use.
"What won't do ?" asked Christy.
"Didn't you notice that?
They are firing rifle-balls from the Belle.

One of them just struck the bulkhead." "I don't see that we can help ourselves, whether it will do or not." "The chances are in our favor, however, for the men cannot handle their rifles to the best advantage while the Belle heaves in the sea," added the captain.