The strangest thing about them was that they had been shown just above the surface of the water, instead of from a masthead, as would usually be the case on a war-ship.
The _Speedy_ had been slipping quietly along, showing her regular side lights, which, as she was of low freeboard, must also have appeared close to the water from a short distance, and might have been mistaken for a signal.

Now she quickly displayed the night-signal of the American blockading fleet, as well as her own private number, but no answer came to either.

By the time the _Speedy's_ crew were at quarters it was evident, from muffled sounds borne down the wind, that the stranger was a steamer in full retreat.
"Give her a blank shot," ordered Captain Boldwood, and the words had barely left his mouth before the forward six-pounder gun had roared out its summons to halt; but the stranger paid no heed.
A solid shot, well elevated, had as little effect.

By this time the despatch-boat was rushing ahead at full speed in the direction the unknown steamer was supposed to have taken.

Suddenly her search-light, sweeping the black waters with a broad arc of silver, disclosed a shadowy bulk moving swiftly at right angles to the course they were taking, and heading for a beacon blaze that had sprung up on the starboard or in-shore hand.
"Port your helm!" cried Captain Boldwood.