The Spaniards were both fast vessels; and although the Swan kept her distance, those on board presently saw that she gained nothing.

The shot continued to fall around them, but the Spaniards worked their guns slowly.
The pieces on their forecastles were light ones, and though two or three shot passed through the sails of the Swan, they did but little damage.
"As long as they don't knock away a spar we will hold on," Captain Reuben said.

"If they do, we will turn and fight them.

But the wind is dropping a little, and I think that, if anything, we are gaining upon them now." By the afternoon the Swan was fully two miles ahead, and the Spaniards had discontinued firing.

The Swan was heading now to pass an island which had, for some hours, been visible ahead.