The Bronx slowed down her engines to enable the other to gain her position; but the Arran did not seem to be willing to permit her to do this, and gave chase to her at once.
The commander of the Bronx met this change by one on his own part, and went ahead with all the speed he could get out of her.

The Confederate steamer was farther to the eastward than either of the other two, and after the changes of position which Christy had brought about in speaking the Ocklockonee, the Arran was nearly southeast of both of the others.

Flint went directly to the south, and Christy ran for the enemy.
All hands had been beaten to quarters on board of the Bronx, and the captain was on the bridge, watching with the most intense interest the progress of the other two vessels.

It was soon apparent to him that the Ocklockonee could not get into the position to which she had been ordered under present circumstances, for the enemy was giving his whole attention to her.
"There goes a gun from the enemy!" exclaimed Mr.Amblen, as a puff of smoke rose from the forward deck of the Arran.
"The shot struck in the water," added Christy a moment later; "but the two vessels are within range.

There is the first shot from the Ocklockonee! Captain Flint is not asleep." The firing was done on both vessels with the heavy midship guns, and doubtless the calibre of the pieces was the same; but Flint was the more fortunate of the two, for his shot struck the smokestack of the enemy, or partly upset it.