"I suppose the only way is to pound the enemy till he has had enough of it, using such strategy as the occasion may require. According to your report we outweigh her in metal, and we have proved that we can outdo her in speed," replied Captain Chantor. "But the Dornoch will have the privilege of pounding the Chateaugay at the same time," said Christy in a very low tone, so that no one could hear him. "That is very true; of course we must expect to take as good as we send." "But then what use shall you make of your advantage in speed and weight of metal?" asked the passenger very quietly. "We both believe that there is humanity in war as well as in peace." At that moment a shot passed under the counter of the ship, and buried itself in the water a cable's length beyond her. "That is good practice, Captain Chantor," said Christy. "That shot was aimed at your rudder; and I have no doubt Captain Rombold is seeking to cripple you by shooting it away." "I believe in humanity in war; but I do not see where it comes in just now, except in a very general way," replied the captain. "If the Dornoch cripples you, and then takes her own time to knock the Chateaugay to pieces, it will amount to the sacrifice of many lives," suggested the unattached officer. "I should be very glad to have your opinion, Mr. Passford," added the commander. "I certainly do not desire to thrust my opinion upon you, Captain Chantor; but as you have asked for it, I will express myself freely." "Thank you, Mr. Passford." "I should adopt the tactics of Commodore Dupont at Port Royal." "In other words, you would keep sailing around the Dornoch." "Precisely so. I would not give him a shot till I was out of the reach of his broadside guns." "And then pound her with the midship gun. That is my idea exactly. Quartermaster, strike one bell." "One bell, sir." "Strike four bells, quartermaster," added the captain. "Four bells, sir." The Chateaugay was soon going ahead at her best speed, headed directly away from the Dornoch, and it would have looked to an observer as though she was running away from her. At any rate, the enemy made this interpretation of her movement, and immediately gave chase, opening fire upon the ship with her bow guns. Presently she fired her heavy midship gun, the shot from which would have made havoc if it had hit the mark. It was soon evident that the enemy's speed had been overrated, for the Chateaugay gained rapidly upon her. A shot from her heavy gun knocked off the upper works on one side of the Eleuthera, but did no other damage.