The sheets had been let go, the canvas was flapping in the wind, and the hands were aloft reducing sail.

She was already some distance away from him.

The sky was bright and clear, and Charlie, who was surprised at seeing no attempt to lower a boat, saw a signal run up to the masthead.
Looking the other way, he saw at once why no boat had been lowered.
The Dover Castle was but a quarter of a mile astern.

Carrying less sail than her consort, she had been better prepared for the squall, and was running down upon him at a great rate.
A moment later a boat was swung out on davits, and several men climbed into it.

The vessel kept on her course, until scarcely more than her own length away.