CHAPTER XXX.
ANOTHER SAILING CONTEST INAUGURATED Although the Raven had not yet been disposed of, the ship's company were immediately interested in the vessel which the lookout had tardily announced; and the vigor with which he had given the hail to the deck indicated that he was conscious of the defect.
"Where away ?" returned Mr.Baskirk; though it was a superfluous question, for all on the deck who cast their eyes to the westward could see the sail.
"On the starboard, sir." Commander Passford was already examining the distant sail with his glass, as were all the officers who were not otherwise occupied.

There were fog banks in that direction; and the craft might have suddenly loomed up out of them, though this did not appear to have been the case.
The sail was too far off to be made out with anything like distinctness.
It was a steamer headed to the east, and the quantity of smoke that trailed in the air above indicated that she had been liberal in the use of coal in her furnaces.
As the sail was diminishing her distance from the St.Regis, Christy turned his attention again to the prize alongside his ship.

The two chasers that had been pursuing the Raven, neither of which appeared to be capable of making more than fourteen knots an hour, were now almost within hailing distance.
The Raven was a steamer of nearly the size of the St.Regis.She was not armed, and had a ship's company of about thirty men, including officers.
Her cargo was miscellaneous in its character, consisting of such merchandise as was most needed in the Confederacy, especially in the army.

A watch had been set below on board of her to extinguish fires if any more appeared; but this peril had been effectually removed.

The attempt to destroy the steamer and her cargo looked like malice and revenge, and some of the officers of the ship thought it ought to be regarded and treated as an act of war.
To burn, scuttle, blow up, run ashore, or otherwise destroy a blockade-runner after her situation has become absolutely hopeless can result only to the benefit of the enemy, since it deprived the Federals of the property that would otherwise be confiscated under international law.