If he runs directly to the southward he may miss the first one." "If I were in his place I should run to the eastward, so as not to fall astern of any possible steamer bound to England," added Christy.
"That was the thought that first came to my mind," replied the commander, as he brought out a chart and spread it on the table.

"For that reason I gave out the course to the south-east." A careful examination of the chart and an extended calculation followed.
It was agreed between the two naval officers that the Dornoch would go to the eastward till she fell into the track of vessels bound to the north-east from Jamaica, Cuban ports, or Mexico, and then put her head to the south-west.

It was four o'clock in the morning, the cruiser had been out nine hours, and the captain dotted the chart where he believed she was at that moment.
"She has made all the easting necessary, and by this time she has laid her course about south-west," continued the commander.

"Captain Rombold will not hurry his ship, for he has no occasion to do so, and he will naturally save his coal.

If our calculations are correct, we shall see the Dornoch about noon to-day;" and he pointed to the conjunction of the two courses as he had drawn them on a diagram.