The former was the smaller vessel, and probably did not draw over fourteen feet of water, if she did more than twelve.

It might be possible for her to run into shoal water where the pursuer could not follow her.
After the dinner table was cleared off, the captain seated himself at it with a chart spread out before him.

It was plain enough that he was devising some expedient to escape the three-master.

Christy did not deem it prudent to observe him, and he went on deck.

It was as clear as the daylight that the pursuer was gaining rapidly upon the Snapper; and the prisoner did not believe that the latter was making over twelve knots.
By this time seven hours had elapsed since the distant sail had come in sight, and she was now near enough for the prisoner to be sure that she was the Chateaugay.