They were now directly astern, leaving between them a distance of twelve or fifteen cable lengths.

The "Terror," without increasing her speed, saw one of them approach on the port side, the other to starboard.
I did not leave my place.

The man at the bow was close by me.
Immovable at the helm, his eyes burning beneath his contracted brows, the captain waited.

He meant, perhaps, to finish the chase by one last maneuver.
Suddenly, a puff of smoke rose from the destroyer on our left.

A projectile, brushing the surface of the water, passed in front of the "Terror," and sped beyond the destroyer on our right.
I glanced around anxiously.