It was all dark on the river again in a few minutes, and the two boats keeping close together proceeded steadily on, making very fair progress.
"Would it be of any advantage to make our way over to the Jersey shore and cross again higher up the river, Dick?" asked Bob.
"I am not sure that it would, Bob," was the reply. "We will not do it unless we have to, as we can probably make better time by keeping on as we are."
The day had been sultry, but it was now cold and damp on the river, being dark as well, a cold mist arising as they went on, which not only made it more difficult to see their way but chilled them as well. However, if they could not see the enemy, the latter could not see them, so that there was an advantage on their side after all. They went as far as Bloomingdale without seeing anything of the enemy or hearing any alarm, and were in hope of going the rest of the way safely, when the mist lifted for a few moments, and Dick saw the outlines of a ship looming up before him out of the darkness. He quickly steered out of the day and signalled to Bob to go closer inshore so as to avoid the ship. Presently a light appeared on board, and then a voice called out in sharp tones:
"Boat ahoy! What are you doing out there?"
"Looking out for the enemy!" answered Dick, that being just what he was doing.
"Seen anything of them?"
"Yes, some little time ago. Seen any yourselves?"
"No, what are they up to? Sending out their confounded fireboats to annoy us?"
"Oh, they'll do anything, I fancy," and the boats went on, the men on the ships never imagining that they contained a number of the Liberty Boys.