The German gunboat, that the Hawk had been following so assiduously, had disappeared in the fog of the Sunday on which the Ann was stopped. Nevertheless, Calamity set the course each day with an unhesitating decisiveness which seemed to suggest that he had some definite plan in view. A day or two after that encounter a large steam-yacht painted war-grey, and flying no ensign, was sighted steaming in a northerly direction. Calamity, who was on the bridge at the time, examined her through his glasses and then handed them to Smith, the mate being below.
"What do you make of her?" he asked.
The second-mate, after a long and careful scrutiny, handed the glasses back.
"Looks like a commerce-destroyer," he said, "but blowed if I can tell what nationality she is."
"H'm, we'll soon find out," answered the Captain. "Go for'ad and send a shot after her as soon as I've altered the course."
Smith left the bridge, and, mounting the foc'sle, took the tarpaulin cover off the quick-firer which was mounted there. Meanwhile Calamity had brought the Hawk's nose round so that he was now in the wake of the strange ship.
"All ready, sir!" shouted Smith.
"Then let her have it."
The second-mate carefully laid the gun and next minute a shell went hurtling over the yacht's stern; too high to do any damage, yet near enough to make any nervous persons on board feel more nervous still. The noise brought the privateer's crew tumbling on deck, eager to see what was happening. Then, before the sound of the shot had died away, the yacht was observed to be changing her course—steaming round in the arc of a circle to starboard of the Hawk. Obviously she was not running away, and the inference was that she intended to fight.
"Pipe to quarters!" cried Calamity from the bridge; but before the bos'n had time to obey the order the men were rushing to their places. It seemed as if there was going to be a fight at last.