The commander on shore could see by this time, if he had not before, that a gunboat was in the offing, and that he might soon have a better use for his powder than wasting it upon the boat.
The lieutenant had closely watched the movements of the Bronx.

He had made the signal that the fort was not very dangerous to the well-being of the gunboat, and he understood her present movement.

The light was increasing, and the Bronx could be distinctly seen, headed to the south-east, or in other words, making for the deep water outside the bar.

Mr.Pennant still kept the cutter headed to the south.
The steamer went off till she looked very much smaller, and then changed her course to the south-west.

The lieutenant in the cutter ordered the bowman to sound with the small hand lead, after he had brought the boat to a full stop.