The officers could just make out the steamer ahead, which still kept on her course.

The midship gun was now brought into use, and a round shot was sent on its mission to her; but with little chance of hitting her in the increasing gloom, for the sky was obscured with clouds, and all the signs indicated fog during the night, which would be exceedingly favorable to the chase.

A flash was seen in the distance, and then came the roar of a heavy gun.
"She is not merely a blockade-runner; for it appears now that she is an armed vessel, and has some heavy metal on board," said Christy.
"But no shot has come within hearing," added Mr.Baskirk.

"Perhaps she only wished to inform us that she could bite as well as bark." The St.Regis kept on her course for another hour.

Christy was very anxious, for the chase was plainly a Confederate man-of-war, or a privateer; and if she escaped she might begin her work of destruction the very next day.