If
she had nothing but her two pursuers to fear, her troubles were really
over.
Both of the Federal ships were firing at the chase; but they might as
well have spared their powder and shot, for they could not reach her
into at least a quarter of a mile. The wind was still at the south-west,
and already there were signs of fog. The rakish steamer had probably
come from the Bermudas, where she must have obtained a skilful pilot,
for without one she would have had no chances at all; and she stood
boldly on her course as though she had nothing to fear on account of
the navigation.
"What are we going to have for weather, Mr. Makepeace?" asked Christy,
after a long look to windward.
"It looks a little nasty off towards the shore, sir," replied the second
lieutenant. "I should say it was going to be just what that pirate would
like to have."
"Why do you call her a pirate?" asked the commander with a smile.
"Probably she is not armed."
"I call her a pirate because she looks like one; but I think a
blockade-runner is a hundred degrees better than a pirate; and our
British friends plainly look upon them as doing a legitimate business.
I rather think that highflyer will run into a fog before she gets to the
shore."
"She has nothing to fear from the two steamers that are chasing her,"
added Christy. "We are to have a finger in this pie.
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