"I don't know about that. We may run into the bay without waiting for any boat."
"Then they fire on you from the fort," suggested the disconsolate.
"We rather expect that," added Christy quietly.
"You do?"
"Of course, a shot from the fort may blow us out of the water; but we can't help that, and we must take our chances of being hit."
"But that is terribly risky business, and the whole of us may be killed before we get by the fort."
"Of course: that may be the case; but we have no papers, and we have to take things as they come."
"It isn't pleasant to take cannon-balls as they come, for they are apt to hit hard. But they won't fire at us if a boat comes off to examine the vessel."
"But in that case you will have the pleasure of meeting your brother the major."
"And whatever he may do with the steamer, he will take me to the fort with him, and put me into the ranks."