The captain pressed a button and a ray of dull, ghostly light appeared just beyond and over the bow.
The lads uttered exclamations of amazement.
"What is it? How did you do it, sir?"
"That, lads, is a guide light on the end of the pole that answers for the bowsprit. The light is there for the purpose of giving you a guide to steer by in narrow places."
Lights began to spring up ahead, until there was such a confusion of them that neither boy could make anything out of them, but the steady eyes of the captain picked out the lights that he wished to find without the least difficulty.
"Do you hear the roar of the rapids in the St. Mary's River?"
"Yes; we hear them."
"Those green lights way over yonder are on the American locks. Now port your helm and steer for that white light standing high above the rest. Are you on it?"
"On the mark, sir," answered Steve.
They continued on this course for ten or fifteen minutes, when the captain ordered the wheelman to starboard his wheel. This threw the bow to the left, sending the boat across the bay on a diagonal course.