Bahama Bill glanced astern, and saw that he would soon be alongside the pursuer, and the anxious faces of the passengers told of a nervousness which could not be concealed. Both Sam and Heldron were aware that they were making a getaway, but they had no choice in the matter, and they would obey the mate to the last.
Smart studied out several wild propositions which occurred to him to disable the sloop and be overhauled, but, as there was every prospect of getting shot for any attempt, he wisely kept on, feeling sure that the marshal would soon be alongside and force surrender.
They had run all the afternoon, and had gone many miles, but now that they were really at sea, the schooner would have the advantage.
Darkness came on, and the thin man holding the revolver appeared to tire. "You might get dinner ready," said he, "I'm about ready to eat again."
"I don't got noddings but pork, cold an' fat," said Heldron, who acted as cook.
"Bring it on deck," said the invalid. "It's a shame you fellows live the way you do."
He bolted a full pound of the greasy meat, and seemed to enjoy it.
"Does me good to see how you've improved under the salt air," said Smart.
"The more he eats the thinner he gets," said the pale-eyed man, shifting his automatic pistol into his left hand. "You can let me have a try at it now."
After all hands had eaten, the darkness had grown to the blackness of a tropic night. The Sea-Horse kept along without lights, but those of the schooner soon showed close astern, and appeared exceedingly near. No shots had been fired, although the range was now close, and there was every opportunity, could the marshal see, of hitting a man, but the plunging of the vessels evidently made his aim uncertain, and he reserved his fire, feeling sure that he would soon be close enough to force matters to a satisfactory conclusion without bloodshed.