She seems to have the speed to run away from her pursuers; but probably not one of them can make fifteen knots an hour." The three pursuers of the blockade-runner had changed their course when the chase did so; but it was already evident that they had no chance to overhaul her.

They were still three miles astern of her, while the St.
Regis, at sunset, was not more than three.

Not a shot had been fired by any one of the steamers, and it would have been a waste of ammunition to do so.
"We are gaining on her," said Christy, half an hour later.

"That steamer is making sixteen knots at least." "If she has found out that we can outsail her, very likely she will count upon the darkness to enable her to give us the slip," suggested Mr.Baskirk.
"Mr.Vapoor has come to his bearings, and in another half hour we shall be within one mile of her.

But I am afraid we shall not be able to settle this affair finally to-night," replied Christy.
The darkness gathered around the two ships, and none of the steamers in the distance could any longer be seen.