trying the fish since we left
Jacksonville. There was not water enough in Indian River to float the
steamer, and I gave up all thought of renewing the exciting sport we
had had in these waters when we came over from the St. Johns. At four
o'clock I turned in and slept till eight.

I found the barometer had been dropping again, and the wind came from
the eastward, which was not a good way to have the wind while we were
off the coast. While I was eating my breakfast, the Sylvania came up
with Jupiter Inlet, where Washburn changed the course to south,
three-quarters east. The log-slate showed that we had made eleven and a
half knots. I figured up the distances, and concluded that the Islander
must be about twelve miles ahead of us. I did not give the other
steamer the credit of making more than ten knots an hour.

The wind had freshened considerably since I left the deck early in the
morning, and I ordered all sail to be set. Soon after the log showed
that we were making twelve knots, which was about the best speed we had
ever made. We kept her going at this rate till noon, and I had the
wheel during the time. In the course of the forenoon we had visits from
all the passengers, but the wind was raw and cold, and they did not
remain long on deck.

"Sail, ho!" shouted Hop Tossford, from the topgallant forecastle.

"Where away?" I asked, looking ahead, though as it was not clear I saw
nothing distinctly.

"Sharp on the weather bow," replied the lookout.

I looked in the direction indicated, and could just make out a sail. I
examined it through the glass, and was satisfied it was the Islander. I
had calculated that we ought to be up with her by noon; but it was
evident to me that her captain had been hurrying her, as I did not
anticipate he would do. I soon assured myself that she was not on the
same course as the Sylvania. She was headed at least a point more to
the westward. We had on all the sail it was prudent to carry, and Ben
Bowman declared the engine was doing its best.

"We have been gaining on her every hour," I said to the mate. "If we
keep on we shall overtake her in a few hours, though she is making her
best speed."

"But she is going more to the westward than we are," added Washburn,
looking at the chase through the glass.

"I think she is making a mistake, for I should not care to be mixed up
among those shoals if it comes on bad weather; and it looks like it
now."

"The wind is hauling more to the