southward, and I shall look for a fog
before night."

We kept on our course as laid down in the Coast-pilot, without regard
to the Islander. I called the passengers at two in the afternoon, when
we again changed our course to south, quarter west, to show them the
Islander. She was still headed a point farther to the westward than we
were. As our course from this point to Key West was on the
circumference of a quarter-circle, I supposed Captain Blastblow only
intended to take the shortest way by keeping inside of us, and I did
not alter anything. But I was confident that he would have to run
outside again in order to avoid the shoals of Virginia and Biscayne
Keys. I had studied the chart carefully every day, and had found places
where there was not more than four, or even more than two, feet of
water at low tide, as it was at this time.

At four o'clock the Islander was not more than a mile to the south of
us, though she was two miles nearer shore than we were. We were abreast
of the light-house at Cape Florida, and I expected to intercept the
Islander when she came out from the dangerous shoals, rendered doubly
dangerous by the threatening weather. But the other steamer gave no
indications of changing her course, and I soon saw her close to the
light-house.

"She seems to be behaving very strangely, Captain Alick," said the
mate, as we were watching her from the pilot-house.

"It seems to me that she is losing time. There are shoals and rocks
just to the southward of her," I replied.

"There she goes about!" exclaimed Washburn, as she pointed her bow to
the eastward. "I think we had better take in all the sail we carry, for
we have only a mile of southing to make while the other steamer makes
two miles of easting."

All hands were called for this duty, for the wind was coming heavier
and heavier every minute. The mate and the four men made quick work of
it. The Islander carried no sail, though her people must have seen the
Sylvania two hours before.

"I am glad Captain Blastblow has come to his senses, and is standing
out from the shore," I added. "About five miles to the eastward of the
line of Keys, which form part of a circle, from Cape Florida to Pickle
Reef, more than forty miles, is a series of reefs and rocks. There is a
passage between the reefs and the Keys, through which vessels of light
draught may pass. But I believe in having plenty of sea room when the
weather looks as it does now."

When we we