"It seems to me that the question of that vessel's destination is to be decided about this time, or at least within an hour or two." Christy explained the calculation he had been making, in which the captain agreed with him, and declared that he had been over the same course of reasoning.

Both of them thought the Ionian would not wait till daylight to change her course, as it would be more perilous to do so then than in the darkness.
"I am confident that she has not seen the Chateaugay since we put out the lights," said the captain.

"At the present moment we must be off Absecum; but we cannot see the light.

She is far off her course for Wilmington." "That is plain enough." "What she will do depends upon whether or not she suspects that a man-of-war is near her.

We shall soon know, for she is already in a position to justify her capture." "Better make sure of her course before that is done," suggested Christy, who felt that he was permitted to say as much as this.
"I don't intend to act till we are south of Cape Henlopen," added the commander promptly.