Part 31 (1/2)
”Pray what is the matter, Captain Pa.s.sford?” she asked, evidently somewhat alarmed.
”Nothing is the matter yet, Miss Pembroke, but something may be the matter within an hour or two, for there is a sail making for us,”
replied Christy with the smile he always wore when she spoke to him, or he to her. ”In other words there may be an action, for I must defend my convoy.”
”Is there any danger?” she inquired.
”Of course there is, for a shot may come through the side of the s.h.i.+p anywhere and at any time. But I have thought of this matter, and I propose to put you and your father on board of the Havana until after the danger is pa.s.sed. Be kind enough to get ready as soon as possible.”
Christy wrote his order, and hastened on deck with it. Hailing the Havana, he ordered the prize-master to send a boat on board. When it came the two pa.s.sengers were embarked in it and the order sent. The commander did not wait a moment to watch the receding form of the maiden, but immediately directed his attention to the steamer approaching the Vixen.
”Run for that steamer, Mr. Fillbrook,” said he, after his first glance.
”Make the course east by north, Mr. Bangs,” added the first lieutenant.
”East by north,” repeated the quartermaster at the wheel when the order reached him.
”I have just been aloft, and she flies the Confederate flag, Captain Pa.s.sford,” said Mr. Fillbrook. ”She is a large steamer, and she is by no means as jaunty as the Vixen.”
Both steamers were going at full speed, and it required but a short time to bring them near enough together for something to happen. She was well down in the water, and appeared as though she might be loaded with something besides the appliances of a man-of-war. She looked as though she might be twice as large as the Vixen, and it was soon evident that her speed was nothing to boast of. She certainly was not one of the high-flyer yachts which had been bought up for service in the Confederate navy.
When the two vessels were not more than a mile apart, a column of smoke rose from her waist, as she swung around so that her great gun could be brought to bear, and a shot dropped into the water at least an eighth of a mile short of the Vixen.
”Thank you, sir!” exclaimed Christy. ”Half speed, if you please, Mr.
Fillbrook.”
The commander went to the long English gun in the waist, to which he had already given a great deal of study, and sighted along the heavy piece.
He had not forgotten when he pointed the gun on board of the Bellevite, the shot from which had disabled the Vampire, and he had some confidence in his ability to put a shot where he wished it to go, for he had brought all his mathematics and all his physics to bear on the matter, though the best gunners must sometimes fail. When he was ready he gave the word to fire. The s.h.i.+p was shaken by the heavy report, and every one waited with peculiar interest for the smoke to clear away, because the captain had pointed the gun.
Christy had ordered the screw to be stopped, and had waited till the steamer lost her headway. She rolled but slightly, and he had allowed for everything. Gla.s.ses were in demand, and a moment later there was a shout went up from the men at the gun, followed by another from the rest of the crew. The shot had upset the great gun on the deck of the enemy.
She was swinging round, and beginning to fire her broadside guns, but the shots came nowhere near the Vixen. Christy did not believe there was any naval officer on board of that steamer.
”Keep up the fire with the long gun, Mr. Fillbrook,” said the commander, in a low tone, and with no excitement apparent in his manner, for he always studied and labored to appear cool and self-possessed, whether he was so or not, and there was nothing in the present situation to try him in the least.
For a full hour the long gun of the Vixen continued to pelt the enemy with solid shot, about every one of them hulling her or carrying away some of her spars. Her mainmast had gone by the board, and the resistance she was making was becoming very feeble.
”She is full of men, Captain Pa.s.sford,” said Mr. Fillbrook, when the steamer seemed to be almost a wreck.
”I observed that she had a large crew some time ago, and it is better to knock her to pieces than to board her,” replied Christy. ”Keep her as far off as she is now.”
The enemy tried to get nearer to the Vixen, but failed to do so.
CHAPTER x.x.xI
A SHORT VISIT TO BONNYDALE
The firing was continued from the long gun, though only at intervals that would permit any signals to be seen on board of the enemy. When it looked as though there would soon be nothing left of her, she hauled down the Confederate flag at her fore, where she had hoisted it when the mainmast went over. The order to go ahead was given, and in a short time the Vixen was alongside of her.
”Do you surrender?” asked Christy, mounting the rail of his s.h.i.+p.