“Her Majesty’s servants are early awake, this morning.  Another stroke or two, hearts of oak, and we throw them behind the land!”

A second shot fell into the water, just without the blades of the oars; and then the boat, obedient to its helm, whirled round the point, and the ship was no longer visible.  As the cruiser was shut in by the formation of the land, the brigantine came into view on the opposite side of Coerlaer’s.  Notwithstanding the calmness that reigned in the features of the Skimmer, one who studied his countenance closely might have seen an expression of concern shadowing his manly face, as the Water-Witch first met his eye.  Still he spoke not, concealing his uneasiness, if in truth he felt any, from those whose exertions were at that moment of the last importance.  As the crew of the expecting vessel saw their boat, they altered their course, and the two were soon together.

“Why is that signal still flying?” demanded the Skimmer, the instant his foot touched the deck of his brigantine, and pointing, as he spoke, at the little flag that fluttered at the head of the forward mast.

“We keep it aloft, to hasten off the pilot,” was the answer.

“Has not the treacherous knave kept faith?” exclaimed the Skimmer, half recoiling in surprise.  “He has my gold, and in return I hold fifty of his worthless promises—­ha!—­the laggard is in yon skiff; ware the brig round, and meet him, for moments are as precious now as water in a desert.”

The helm was a-weather, and the lively brigantine had already turned more than half aside, when another gun drew every eye towards the point.  The smoke was seen rising above the bend of the land, and presently the head-sails, followed by all the hull and spars of the Coquette, came into view.  At that instant, a voice from forward announced that the pilot had turned, and was rowing with all his powers towards the shore.  The imprecations that were heaped on the head of the delinquent were many and deep, but it was no time for indecision.  The two vessels were not half a mile apart, and now was the moment to show the qualities of the Water-Witch.  Her helm was shifted; and, as if conscious herself of the danger that threatened her liberty, the beautiful fabric came sweeping up to her course, and, inclining to the breeze, with one heavy flap of the canvas, she glided ahead with all her wonted ease.  But, the royal cruiser was a ship of ten thousand!  For twenty minutes, the nicest eye might have been at a loss to say which lost or which gained, so equally did the pursuer and the pursued hold on their way.  As the brigantine was the first, however, to reach the narrow passage formed by Blackwell’s, her motion was favored by the increasing power of the stream.  It would seem that this change slight as it was, did not escape the vigilance of those in the Coquette; for the gun, which had been silent so long, again sent forth its flame and smoke.  Four discharges, in less than so many minutes, threatened a serious disadvantage to the free-traders.  Shot after shot passed among their spars, and opened wide rents in the canvas.  A few more such assaults would deprive them of their means of motion.  Aware of the crisis, the accomplished and prompt seaman who governed her movements needed but an instant to form his decision.