The steamer stood down the bay in the drenching rain, and was soon buried in a dense fog that was blown in by the wind from the gulf.

She lay off and on during the rest of the day, and the commander made his preparations for running the gantlet of the forts.
This was not so difficult and dangerous an enterprise as it became later when the channel was obstructed, though even now the feat could not be accomplished without great difficulty and danger.

In the course of the day, Captain Pecklar left his berth and came on deck.

Captain Breaker decided to leave the piloting of the steamer to him, after he had conversed for hours with him.
No better night in the whole year could have been selected for the undertaking.

It had ceased to rain, but the darkness and the fog were as dense as possible.