"
The distance which separated us from the two destroyers was now
growing rapidly less. Soon they were but a few cable-lengths away.
Could the motor of the "Terror," since the accident, no longer hold
its speeds? Yet the captain showed not the least anxiety, and made no
effort to reach land!
We could hear the hissing of the steam which escaped from the valves
of the destroyers, to mingle with the streamers of black smoke. But
we heard, even more plainly, the roar of the cataract, now less than
three miles away.
The "Terror" took the left branch of the river in passing Navy
Island. At this point, she was within easy reach of the shore, yet
she shot ahead. Five minutes later, we could see the first trees of
Goat Island. The current became more and more irresistible. If the
"Terror" did not stop, the destroyers could not much longer follow
her. If it pleased our accursed captain to plunge us into the vortex
of the falls, surely they did not mean to follow into the abyss!
Indeed, at this moment they signaled each other, and stopped the
pursuit. They were scarce more than six hundred feet from the
cataract. Then their thunders burst on the air and several cannon
shot swept over the "Terror" without hitting its low-lying deck.
The sun had set, and through the twilight the moon's rays shone upon
us from the south.
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