A low murmur of surprise arose from the crowd on the ramparts, who were eagerly watching the warships. It seemed as though The Columbus was bent on her own destruction, for she came steaming straight ahead for the three ships of the Junta, insolently flying the red flag of Xuarez.
"What the deuce does she mean," cried Tim, in perplexity. "Surely she can't mistake The Iturbide for her consort."
"Perhaps she intends to desert," suggested Jack.
The Columbus was now more within range, and though hitherto she had been silent under the fire of The Iturbide, she now began to speak in her turn, and a white line of smoke ran along her black sides as the balls came singing over the water.
"Not much deserting about that," said Tim, grimly; "no! the rebels have some scheme in their heads."
By this time Pedraza was thoroughly enraged at the insolence of this one ship attacking him single-handed, and signalled at once to the torpederas. The captain of The Columbus saw that the signals ordered the boats to "up anchor," and acted accordingly. In a surprisingly short space of time the rebel ship had swung round, and with full steam ahead was standing out to sea. The ships of the Junta were taken by surprise at their manœuvre, and it was fully a question of an hour before they started in pursuit. Tim shut his glass with a click.
"Jack, I see it all. The Columbus wants to get our boats out of the harbour so as to let The Cortes and the transports slip in together."
"Rather a risky game, Tim. She'll be overhauled and sunk by the torpederas in no time."
"Not while she can keep them off with her heavy guns! What speed have the torpederas?"
"Eighteen to nineteen knots."