Clif had been gazing every once in a while at the lieutenant with an inquiring look upon his face, but the officer had only shaken his head. "Not yet," he said. "Wait a little." And Clif would then take another stroll across the deck. But at last his inquiring look brought another answer. "Go ahead," said the lieutenant. And the cadet made a leap at the gun. It was already loaded, and he sighted it himself. He was no longer nervous and hurried; it was at least a minute before he rose. And then at his signal the sailor pulled the firing trigger. There was a flash and a loud report, and every one looked anxiously to see the effect. Lieutenant Raymond, who had the glass, was the only one who could tell; for the sea was so wild that the slight splash could not be noticed. The shot of course fell short, for the vessel was still out of range; but it hit right in line, and the officer nodded approvingly. "Now we'll wait," he said. "She may give up." But she didn't; so far as those on the Uncas could tell the shot had no effect whatever. The vessel kept straight on in her course. "She's counting on the darkness coming," said the lieutenant. But that was not the only reason why the Spaniard did not give up; those upon the Uncas discovered another shortly afterward. "The Cuban coast," exclaimed the officer. Yes, the long, faint line of the shore was at last visible just on the horizon's edge. It lay to the southward, directly ahead. "What good will that do her?" asked Clif. "If she finds she can't get away," answered the other, "she may make a run for one of the ports or try to get under the shelter of the batteries." For a while after that nothing more was said, and the tug plowed its way through the tossing water. When the lieutenant spoke again it was to point to the gun. "Try it again," he said. And Clif did try it. The two ships were then not over three or four miles apart, and when the cadet fired again he heard the lieutenant give a pleased exclamation. "They're within range!" And then Clif got to work with all his might. Had he had a calm sea he could have raked that vessel without missing a shot. He had only to experiment and get the aim just right and then leave the gun to stay in that one position while he blazed away. But the Uncas in climbing over the waves was now up and now down, so that sometimes the shots fell short and sometimes they went high. But every once in a while he had the satisfaction of hearing that he had landed one. After that the chase was a lively one, for the Uncas kept blazing away merrily. The people on board that fleeing vessel must have had a very large time of it that afternoon. It was just what Clif Faraday liked; he was beginning to be quite an expert in target practice, and he was willing to experiment with that ship just as long as the ammunition held out.