"Very likely she is down that way somewhere, and the Tallahatchie may run right into her." "I don't think Captain Breaker would place his ship where anything of this kind would be likely to happen," replied Christy.

"It is still as dark as Egypt ahead, and I think we shall see the Bellevite very soon." The Confederate steamer had sensibly increased her speed, and gave no attention whatever to the schooner or the blockader to the westward of her.

Captain Rombold seemed to be possessed of a supreme confidence in the speed of his steamer, and a complete assurance that he should escape unscathed from all pursuers, if any attempted to follow him.

He was not aware that the Bellevite had recently had her bottom cleaned, and her engine put in thoroughly good condition, so that she could make as many knots in an hour as ever before; and that was saying more than could be said of any other craft in the navy.
"I would give my month's pay to know what the Tallahatchie has for a midship gun," said Christy, still gazing at the Confederate vessel as she continued to increase her speed.
Suddenly, without saying anything, Graines, who had been at his side, left him, and hastened to the companion, where he stooped down and gazed into the cabin.

Christy had heard nothing to attract his attention, but he concluded that Captain Sullendine had escaped from his prison, and he called the two men who had been stationed in the waist to the quarter-deck to render such assistance as the engineer might need; but this officer remained at the entrance to the cabin, and made no further movement..