the order is reversed, if a vessel makes sail in chase, the chase will
generally run away. Hitherto the officers of the _Ione_ had found the
vessel in sight offering an exception to the rule.

"Let her see our colours, Mr Saltwell. It may induce her to show hers
in return."

The British ensign flew out to the breeze at the peak of the _Ione_;
but, for some time, no attention was paid to it by the stranger--
perhaps, it might not have been observed--at all events, no answer was
made.

"Ah, the rascal is ashamed of his nation, or is puzzled to know what
bunting to show us," said the master. "No, by Jove; there flies the new
flag of independence, and a pennant to boot. He wishes to make us
suppose he is a Greek man-of-war."

"He may try to do so, but he will not deceive us," said Linton.
"There's a most piratical cut about the fellow, which is enough to
condemn him anywhere."

"We shall soon get her within range of our long guns, and we shall then
see what she is made of," observed Saltwell, eyeing her. "Shall we get
the gun ready, sir?" he asked of Captain Fleetwood.

"You may, Mr Saltwell; but as long as she does not show any intention
of avoiding us, on no account fire," was the answer.

"He seems in no hurry to move, at all events," observed the first
lieutenant. He had scarcely spoken, however, before the breeze which
the _Ione_ had brought up with her reached the stranger, and, as if to
make amends for her former inactivity, the heavy folds of the foresail
were let fall, the royals were sent aloft, her head fell off from the
wind, studdensail after studdensail was set, and away she flew, before
the freshening breeze, like a sea-fowl darting from its slumber on the
wave, at a rate which those on board the British ship felt it would take
their utmost speed to compete with.

"Up with the helm--square away the yards, Mr Saltwell," exclaimed
Captain Fleetwood, as soon as he saw what she was about to do.

"Ay, ay, sir. All hands make sail," cried Saltwell.

"All hands make sail," was echoed along the decks.

The men sprang on deck. The order to set the studden-sails was given.
The hands flew aloft, and before the Greek had got all his canvas up,
the _Ione_ had every stitch she could carry packed on her. This gave
her an advantage, but the stranger was still far beyond the range of her
long guns.

A stern chase is so proverbially a long chase, especially when the
leading vessel happens to be the fast