But no satisfactory measures could be devised for overcoming the difficulties on both hands, and the steamer sped on her way. In two days more she was in sight of the Bermudas. It was almost dark when the lookout sighted a steamer coming out from the islands. By the order of the captain, the engine was stopped, and the steamer rested silently on a calm sea. "I don't think she has seen us yet," said Captain Breaker. "If she had, she would have come about and run back into the harbor." "She keeps on her course," added Mr. Dashington. "If she has the reputation of being a very fast vessel, very likely she believes that she can run away from us," suggested Mr. Blowitt. "As I don't believe the vessel floats that can outsail the Bellevite, I shall give her time to get well away from the port before the screw turns again," said the captain. "Mr. Passford," called he a little later. "On duty, sir," replied Christy, touching his cap to the commander. "You will have the midship gun charged with a solid shot, and have it ready for use at once." As the steamer in the distance still kept on her course, the screw of the Bellevite was started. The chief engineer was called upon deck, and the situation explained to him. "We shall want all the speed we can get out of her, Mr. Vapoor," said the captain. "We shall have no trouble in making twenty-two knots, sir, with the sea as it is now," replied the engineer. "That steamer means to go into the Cape Fear River," said Mr. Blowitt, when the chase had laid her course. "If she was going in at Savannah, or round into the Gulf, she would go more to the south." "I think you are right; but she has room enough to run away from us if she can," added the captain. It was a busy time in the fireroom, but there was nothing to do on deck but watch the steamer. She had actually lighted the green light on the starboard, and evidently did not expect to be overhauled, even if her commander had noticed the presence of the Bellevite. CHAPTER XV A CHASE OFF THE BERMUDAS All the officers on board of the Bellevite who had never been in the navy had spent their long vacation in the study and practice of gunnery and naval tactics; and the men had been carefully drilled by a competent officer as soon as they reported for duty. But a considerable number of the latter had served for years on board of men-of-war, and a few were sheet-anchor men. The latter are sailors who have spent the greater part of their lives in the national sea-service, and they were competent to teach many of the junior officers. Every day after the ship went into commission, both officers and seamen were drilled, and the captain declared that they had all made satisfactory proficiency. He was ready to meet an enemy with them; but then the ship's company of the steam-yacht were of the very best material. They were all intelligent men, and sailors to begin with, so that the task of qualifying them for active duty was not very laborious.