There are plenty of officers in the navy who would like to command her when she is altered over into a cruiser." "You are quite right, Captain Passford; and there are some of them on the deck of the St.Regis at this moment," said the first lieutenant, laughing.
"Heave the log, Mr.Baskirk," said the captain.
The report from the master, who attended to this duty, was soon reported to the executive officer, who transmitted it to the commander.
"Rising twenty knots, sir," said he.
"That will do," replied Christy.

"That is enough to enable us to overhaul the chase within half an hour." Within fifteen minutes it could be seen that the St.Regis was rapidly gaining on the Raven, for the latter was near enough now to enable the pursuers to read the name on her stern, and the captain of the highflyer could not help realizing that he had not the slightest chance to escape.
The chaser was within the eighth of a mile of her, and the result was only a matter of minutes.
"She has stopped her screw, sir!" reported the third lieutenant in the waist, passing the word from the second lieutenant on the forecastle.
"She has stopped her screw, Captain," repeated Mr.Baskirk.
"That means mischief," replied Christy, as he directed his gaze to the Raven.
"She is getting out two boats on her port side!" shouted Mr.Makepeace from the top-gallant forecastle; and the report was repeated till it reached the commander, though he had heard it before it was officially communicated to him.

"That means more mischief." "Ready to stop and back her!" he cried through the speaking-tube to the chief engineer.
"All ready, sir," replied Paul.
"Some of these blockade-runners are desperate characters, and that captain intends either to burn or sink his ship," continued Christy, with a trifle of excitement in his manner, though he looked as dignified as a college professor in the presence of his class.
The St.Regis was still rushing with unabated speed towards her prey, and a minute or two more would decide whether or not she was to be a prize or a blazing hulk on the broad ocean.
"Lay him aboard on the port side, Mr.Baskirk!" "The two boats are there, Captain, as you can see," replied the executive officer.
"Board on the port side, Mr.Baskirk!" repeated the commander very decidedly, and somewhat sharply; and at the same time he rang one bell on the gong to slow down the engine.

"Board on the port side, Mr.
Baskirk!" he repeated again.

"Mr.Drake, have the steam pump and long hose ready to extinguish fire!" Whether the captain of the Raven had ordered his men to scuttle the steamer, or to fire her in several places, Christy could not know; and he did not much care, for he was ready to meet either emergency.