Gary seized the glass and leveled it at the cruiser, then at the southwestern horizon, where a dull gray film of vapor was settled upon the sea. He handed the glass to Rucker and swore impatiently. "If we have half an hour more of this wind we're gone up," he growled. "Our only chance is a fog." A puff of smoke belched from the port bow of the warship. "They understand what that fog might do for us as well as we do," remarked Rucker, as a shell exploded some distance to leeward. "They'll get the range in a few minutes, and when one of those twelve pound bombs explodes in our tops----" "They see that solid shot won't do," interrupted Gary fiercely. "It is quick work they are after." Down in the hold the labored pitching of the schooner was adding seasickness to the sufferings of the poor wretches there. Doleful cries resounded, among which one at all conversant with their language would have heard calls for water predominate. At night, when darkness reigned, the misery of such a scene would be augmented. Several shells were fired by the cruiser, each one coming nearer to the mark, until at last an explosion just forward of the foretopmast shivered a double throat block, and down came the foresail, the leech trailing in the sea as it fell. Another piece of the shell tore off a sailor's arm, and still another disabled one of the boats. Orders from the captain came thick and fast; men flew hither and thither to repair the damage; while the wounded man lay writhing and neglected for some time. The Adams all at once slowly yawed, being within easy range, as the Wanderer lay helpless with her nose in the wind's eye. "Look out!" shouted Rucker. "She's making ready to give us a broadside." "Lively there, men!" roared Gary, nearly frantic. "Do you want to spend a year or so in a Yankee jail?" A redoubled roar from the cruiser followed, and a small tempest of iron hurtled around them. One shot passed through the after hold, terrifying anew the negroes, who yelled fearfully. A rent or two in the sails was all the damage beside, that was inflicted. Ralph, who was assisting to reeve a new block at the foretop, saw that the fog was almost at hand. But before it came a change of wind; preceding which, as the southeaster died, there were a few moments of calm. The lull reached the Wanderer first, and the cruiser, swinging to her course, forged so far ahead that, before the schooner could again hoist her foresail, the Adams rounded to, less than half a mile away and presented a frowning row of shotted guns to the slaver's stern. It was a fair raking position. Rucker threw down his speaking trumpet in despair, though Gary's eyes were fixed keenly upon the advancing fog. A signal for the slaver to lie to was followed by a peremptory shot athwart the schooner's bow. At the same time a boat was lowered away, filled with armed men, and started towards the Wanderer.