"What are you going to do down there?" asked Percy.
"I have no wish to be shot any more than you have. I am going to keep out of sight, and steer the steamer by compass," replied Christy.
"I will steer her if I can keep out of sight," added Percy.
"You can't steer by compass; but you can do something if you are willing," suggested the pilot.
"I am willing to do all I can; but I don't want my brother to shoot me, as much for his sake as my own. What shall I do?" asked Percy.
"Crawl out of the pilot-house on the port-side, where they can't see you from the boat, and then keep watch of all the other steamers. Report to me just where they all are, and what they are doing."
"All right; I will do that," replied Percy, as he obeyed the order.
The boat continued to fire at the pilot-house of the Leopard, and though a shot came uncomfortably near Christy, he stuck to his post; for to leave it was to give up the battle.
"The Bellevite is headed directly towards us," called Percy, outside of the pilot-house. "The other steamers are just as they were."
"All right; keep your eye on them all the time."