to fire. The
submarine immediately altered her course from W. to N. N. W., and
went away from us very fast. I burned lights to attract the
attention of the drifters, and we followed at our utmost speed,
making about eight knots and shipping light sprays. We fired
another shot about two minutes later, but it was breaking dawn,
and we were unable to see the fall of the shots. After the second
shot the submarine submerged. I hoisted warning signals and about
half an hour later I saw a large steamer turning round, distant
between two and three miles on our starboard beam. I headed
toward her, keeping the gun trained on her, as I expected,
judging by her action, that she had smelt the submarine. When we
were about a mile and a half from the steamer I saw the submarine
half a mile astern of her. We opened fire again, and gave her
four shots, with about two minutes between 'em. The submarine
then dodged behind the off quarter of the steamer."

He paused to light his pipe, and added, quite gravely, "When she
had disappeared behind the steamer I gave the order 'Cease fire,'
to avoid hitting the larger vessel."

I made a mental note of his thoughtfulness; but, not for worlds
would I have shown any doubt of his power to blast his way, if
necessary, through all the wood and iron in the universe; and I
was glad that the blue clouds of our smoke mingled for a moment
between us.

"I saw two white boats off the port quarter," he continued. "But
I paid no attention to them. I ordered the helm to be
star-boarded a bit more, and told the gunner to train his gun on
the bow of the steamer; for I expected the submarine to show
there next. A few minutes later she did so, and when she drew
ahead I gave the order to fire. I should say we were about a mile
and a quarter away. We gave him two more shots and they dropped
very close, as the spray rose over his conning tower. He altered
his course directly away from us, and we continued to fire. The
third shot smothered his conning tower with spray. I did not see
the fourth and fifth shots pitch. There was no splash visible,
although it was then broad daylight; so I believe they must have
hit him. A few moments after this the submarine disappeared.

"I turned, then, toward the two white boats and hailed them. The