208 NIMROD OF THE SEA; OR, 



CHAPTER XVIII. 



Race with the Hector. Alternate Success. Our final Triumph. Bone- 

 shark. Anchored at Charles Island. No Water, no Woman, and took 

 to Fishing. Elmira, Captain Marchant, and Preparations for a Fandan- 

 go. Governor Villamill comes on Board, and Captain gives all Hands a 

 Drink by Proxy. Details on Defense, and how the Yankees did it. 

 Hunt a Bull. Hunted in Turn. Bull killed, and a Row. The Ship to 

 he taken. The Row settled. Story of the Lava Cave. 



JWov. 12. Got under way, in company with the Sector, on 

 a race, as agreed upon. Both captains prided themselves on 

 the sailing qualities of their ships, and determined to test 

 them. At sundown we were ahead about five miles, having 

 a stiff breeze, under top-gallant sails, and running sharp on a 

 wind. We were more than surprised at daylight the next 

 morning to find the Hector full eight miles ahead of us on 

 the weather-bow. She was under top-sails. We had furled 

 top -gallant sails during the night. We immediately set 

 maintop-gallant sail, but in twenty minutes it blew out of 

 the bolt-ropes; and we then stood along under top-sails after 

 our saucy antagonist. We trimmed our yards, and only the 

 best men went to the helm. As we were a little down by 

 the head, we brought from the forehatch ten casks of water, 

 and rolled them aft. After this the ship steered better, and 

 we gradually overhauled the chase, and at sunset were up 

 with her, about a quarter mile to leeward. The wind having 

 moderated, we set fore and main top-gallant sails and flying- 

 jib, and in the morning watch got on the royals. At day- 

 light, " Hurra for the Chelsea " from the watch brought all 

 hands on deck, and we found the Hector ten miles on the 

 lee quarter. We continued dropping her, until the setting 



