“She made another point to starboard,” said Webster. “If she doesn’t give way she’ll be on top of us.”
“She won’t give way an inch,” said the Captain bitterly; “and she’s in her rights as a Queen’s ship. Stand by, below!” he shouted.
The two ships tore along, the cruiser terrible and silent, except for the foaming of the waves, and every soul on the smaller vessel held his breath.
“Reverse the starboard screw!” shouted Captain Pardoe; “bring her round two points on the starboard!”
The long craft trembled as the one screw revolved in opposition to the other, then she bore away and darted under the stern of the great ship, heeling over from the waves that swelled up in the wake.
The cruiser came round with a stately sweep, bringing up on the port side on a parallel course; and they all waited for the summons from the commander. It came, ringing, sharp and peremptory:
“Lay-to, there!”
Miss Laura looked at Captain Pardoe, with her hand to her heart, and he signalled to the engineer for more speed. The little vessel darted forward, her stem settling down like the tail of a duck taking to flight, a huge wave rising up right above the rails.
The cruiser sank astern; but from her bows there leapt a great ball of smoke, followed by a deafening report.
“We know what that means,” said Webster, with a smile, “and she’ll play skittles with us presently.”