But she didn't; so far as those on the Uncas could tell the shot had no effect whatever. The vessel kept straight on in her course.
"She's counting on the darkness coming," said the lieutenant.
But that was not the only reason why the Spaniard did not give up; those upon the Uncas discovered another shortly afterward.
"The Cuban coast," exclaimed the officer.
Yes, the long, faint line of the shore was at last visible just on the horizon's edge. It lay to the southward, directly ahead.
"What good will that do her?" asked Clif.
"If she finds she can't get away," answered the other, "she may make a run for one of the ports or try to get under the shelter of the batteries."
For a while after that nothing more was said, and the tug plowed its way through the tossing water. When the lieutenant spoke again it was to point to the gun.
"Try it again," he said.
And Clif did try it. The two ships were then not over three or four miles apart, and when the cadet fired again he heard the lieutenant give a pleased exclamation.