mph over the skilful seaman who was in
charge of the chase, he persevered in the pursuit.

Bessie saw The Starry Flag from the deck of the Caribbee, and
understood why Captain Gauley put about. She was amazed at the
persistent devotion of Levi in following her so far, and hope
brightened and inspired her. Captain Gauley and Mat laughed at what
they called the folly of Levi, and assured Bessie he would never find
her.

Week after week both vessels held on their course, through sunshine and
tempest. Off the southern coast of Australia a fearful storm burst upon
them, and for the third time since leaving the Cape of Good Hope, they
parted company; but both of them weathered the tempest. One hundred and
seven days from New York, in the spring time of the southern
hemisphere, The Starry Flag was approaching Bass Straits. The
navigation was difficult and dangerous. Levi had read up his nautical
library, and carefully studied the charts he had obtained at Cape Town.
The wind was blowing a fresh gale from the southward and westward, and
the young commander was full of doubt and anxiety. The night was coming
on, with the promise of thick and heavy weather. Another day would
enable him to reach Melbourne; but it was hazardous to attempt to
thread his way among the rocks and coral reefs in the night and the
storm. Prudently, therefore, he put about, and stood away to the
southward, close-hauled, with the heavy seas washing his decks, for his
bulwarks had been stove in the tempest a week before.

"Sail, ho!" shouted the man on the lookout forward.

"Where away?" asked Levi.

"On the weather bow."

"It's the Caribbee!" exclaimed Levi to Bob Thomas, who had been made
first mate of the yacht.

"Ay, ay! It is," replied the mate.

"She went to the southward of Hammetts, while we went to the northward,
after the great storm. The southerly current has carried her off her
course, I should judge," added Levi.

The captain and the mate watched her with the most intense interest.
The Caribbee stood on her course, and it was evident that she intended
to enter the Straits, regardless of the perils before her. Levi could
not do less than follow, reckless as it seemed to him. He did follow;
but he took extraordinary precautions. He bent on his heavy anchor, and
made other preparations for trying events. But the Caribbee, instead of
entering the Straits in the darkness, stood away to the northward. All
night long the gale piped its ang