The chase continued for half an hour longer, when it was evident that the Ben Nevis--for it was indeed she--had changed her course, and was headed to the eastward. "This will never do, Mr. Somers," said Mr. Hackleford. "We can't sail with her. We must change our tactics." "She gains upon us," replied Somers. "No doubt of it." "I am afraid we shall lose her, sir." "I would give my year's pay to capture her, Mr. Somers, if it were only for your sake." Somers suggested an idea to the first lieutenant, who, after the approval of Captain Cascabel, adopted it. "Clear away the first cutter," said Mr. Hackleford. "Lower away." The first cutter was soon in the water, the ship having now stopped her engine. "Mr. Pillgrim, you will stand by in the first cutter till that steamer comes up. Capture her if her papers are not all right, or if she is bound into Wilmington." A smile of satisfaction lighted up the countenance of the second lieutenant, when he found he was to go in the boat. The first cutter pulled away. "Clear away the second cutter!" said the first lieutenant; and while the men were eagerly performing this duty, the captain instructed Somers, who was to go in her, in regard to the duty he was expected to perform. Somers took his place in the stern-sheets of the second cutter, which was armed with a twenty-four pounder howitzer, while the first cutter had nothing but small arms. As soon as this boat left the ship's side, the Chatauqua came about, as though she had abandoned the chase, and stood to the westward. The Ben Nevis immediately discovered the change which had been made in the course of her pursuer. Apparently satisfied that she had outwitted the man-of-war, she put about and headed towards the coast again, without suspecting the fact that two boats lay in her track. CHAPTER XIII. A CONFLICT OF AUTHORITY. It was about sunset when the Ben Nevis put about and headed in shore. The first cutter was at least half a mile in advance of the second, and both, of them lying near the track of the blockade-runner. It was useless to pull towards the expected prize; on the contrary, it was better policy to keep still, so as not to attract the attention of her people. The Ben Nevis, when she changed her course, might have been about five miles distant from the Chatauqua, and the longer the meeting between the steamer and the boats was deferred, the more would the darkness favor the latter. It was thought that the blockade-runner would approach at half speed, so as not to encounter the fleet off the river at too early an hour; but her commander did not appear to regard this delay as necessary, and came down at full speed. It was not dark, therefore, when the first cutter was within hail of her.