"I could see a long, wicked gun that the _Shark_ carried forward, and there were three cannon on a side; these I could make out clearly through my glass. 'I'll navigate the ship,' I said to John Singleton, 'and you fight her.' "'Agreed to that, sir,' he answered, gripping my hand, and I was soon to learn that he was no kid at the fighting game either. It was now about eleven of a clear morning, with a smooth and slightly rolling sea; the _Shark_ was drawing up slowly and steadily, and was about five miles astern. "'I reckon it will be an hour and a half before she gets within range, Captain,' said John Singleton. "'Just about that,' I replied, wondering how he had estimated it so closely, but he was one of the most practical chaps I ever saw. "That will give us time for a good sound feed," remarked John. 'But I don't feel like eating, Jack,' protested his younger brother, Sam. "'Sure you've got to eat, Sam,' replied John; 'this game isn't going to be anything like as fierce as what you and I have faced in the mining camp. Take my word for it, you won't be fit for anything unless you have a square meal.' I couldn't help but admire the way in which the lad put heart into his brothers, and I felt confident that he would more than hold his end up when it came to the fighting. However, it seemed to me, the contest could end only one way and as a forlorn hope, I steered southwest on the chance of cutting across the course of one of the Pacific steamers, but all I succeeded in raising was the sail of a Borkentine low down to the south and a few points west. "About half past two that afternoon the trouble began. The _Shark_ was nearing the half-mile limit; a long, gray boat of iron, built for speed and stripped of all superfluous tackle. "'They are getting ready to show their teeth,' remarked John, pointing to a group of three men in the bow. "Besides the men in the bow of the _Shark_, there were several in the waist leaning over the rail and sizing up the _Storm King_ with cold and calculating eyes. "'Let's give 'em a shot, John,' I heard Joe urge. "'No hurry,' replied his brother; 'don't let them worry you into wasting any ammunition.' "In a few minutes John Singleton turned to me, 'could you turn her course a few points to the north, Captain?' he asked. "'Certainly,' I replied. "'Thank you,' responded the lad, 'I've a plan and it won't take over five minutes.' "Then he and his friend, Comanche, lowered one of the ship's boats on the starboard side, where it was sheltered from the sight of the enemy by the deck cabins just abaft the midships. In this boat were two rifles, heavily loaded and ready for action. What the boy's scheme was I did not foresee but it was to develop a short time later.