"And The Columbus?"
"Well, Rafael says her ordinary speed is fifteen but in case of need she can crack up steam to eighteen."
"Even that gives the torpederas one knot to the good. But she can outsteam The Iturbide."
"Oh yes; sixteen is her limit!"
"Then I tell you what! The Columbus, as I said, has come here as a decoy—she knows the cruiser can't touch her speed, and she hopes to keep the torpederas at a safe distance with her heavy guns. She's off in a bee line straight out, and the other boats are after her. Then she'll dodge them and steam back here to find The Cortes and the transports all safe in harbour."
"I believe you are right, Tim."
"Of course I'm right. Look at the way she's smoking through the water."
Jack put the glass to his eyes and saw The Columbus was travelling at top speed towards the open sea. After her scampered the two torpedo boats like hounds on her trail. Further behind The Iturbide with the black smoke vomiting from her funnels was putting her soul into the chase. Pedraza was evidently determined to follow up one victory by another, and over eager to sink or capture the crack ironclad of the rebels, forgot all about the incoming transports. Thus, in half an hour the four ships were mere specks on the horizon, and the harbour of Janjalla was left open for the arrival of Xuarez and fresh troops.
The crowd of people on the ramparts were too excited at the stirring spectacle of the chase to think of such a thing, and yelled themselves hoarse in cheering for Pedraza. Below on the beach the rebels, who had evidently understood the manœuvres of The Columbus, were cheering vigorously for Don Hypolito.
"Wait you dogs," cried Jack, shaking his fists at them; "soon shall you sing another tune."