She levelled the little weapon and pulled the trigger, the white flame leapt, and a smart report followed.
"Listen now!" I said.
I held the oar steady, and the boatswain ceased to dance the lantern. For the first few seconds I heard nothing, then my ear caught the throbbing sound.
"I see her!" cried the boatswain; and following his finger (my sight being keener than my hearing) I saw not only the shadow of a vessel down in the south-west, but the smoke from her funnel pouring along the stars.
"Mary," I cried, "fire again!"
She drew the trigger.
"Again!"
The clear report whizzed like a bullet passed my ears.
Simultaneously with the second report a ball of blue fire shot up into the sky. Another followed, and another.