"What are you saying?" I asked when the signals had unrolled and caught the wind.
"I'm asking him why he wants to stop us?" answered Patterson.
All this time we were creeping up between them. Once more a signal broke out, and again the officer reported. This time it ran, "Heave-to and I'll send a boat." But this was equally unregarded.
For ten minutes there was no change save that we had now come up level with them. Then down fluttered the string of flags, and at the same instant a flash of fire came from the nearest vessel followed by a cloud of white smoke. Almost at the same instant a sharp report reached our ears.
"A blank cartridge to show that they mean business," I answered.
"Hadn't we better go ahead?" Alie remarked.
"I think so," said Patterson, and rang the telegraph. The needle flew round to "Full steam ahead," and off we went.
"Give her every ounce she can carry," shouted Patterson down the speaking tube, and the engineers proved fully equal to the occasion. Before very long the whole fabric of the vessel trembled under the pressure. She quivered like a frightened stag, and cut through the green water at a furious pace. Then, seeing our ruse, the cruiser fired. But, either intentionally or because they had not accurately gauged our distance, the ball went wide.
"We're in for it now," said Alie; "this looks as if it will be the most exciting flight in the Lone Star's history."
"If only we could give them one in return," I said longingly. "However, we can't stop for that. So go on, little barkie!" I cried enthusiastically, patting the bulwark with my hand, as if to encourage her, "you know how much depends upon you."