'That will do for a course,' the captain said, when he had the vessel one point on the starboard bow.
'Keep her so,' said the mate to the wheel.
'Keep her so, sir,' answered the quartermaster.
It soon became clear to Captain Brown that he was chasing an uncommonly fast vessel, though he was willing to admit that he might have been a little out in judging the distance that separated him from her. Allowing that she might do sixteen knots, and even that is a high speed for yachts, he ought to have overtaken her in half an hour at the outside. But he did not, and he was much puzzled to find that he had gained very little on her when six bells were struck. Twice already he had given a little more starboard helm, and the pursued vessel was now right ahead, showing only her stern-light and the glare of her after-masthead light. [{395}]
'Didn't I hear four bells go just after you called me?' he asked of the mate. 'Or was it five?'
'Four bells, sir. I logged it. At two-twenty we gave chase.'
'Mr. Johnson,' said the captain solemnly, 'he's doing at least twenty.'
'At least that.'
The quartermaster who came to relieve the wheel at the hour, touched his cap, and reported eighty-five and eighty-six revolutions of the port and starboard engines respectively, which meant that the Lancashire Lass was doing her best. Then he took the other quartermaster's place.
'Chase,' said the man relieved. 'Keep her so.'