THE SCHOONER ‘‘ EBBA”’ 57

variableness of the atmosphere. When a calm comes they
must wait, and also, even though they may possess nautical
qualities superior to those of the steam yacht, they never
have that certainty of progression which steam gives the
latter,

All considered, it would seem that superiority belongs
to the ship which combines the advantages of sail and
screw. But such was evidently not the Count’s opinion,
since he was satisfied with a schooner for his voyages,
even when they extended beyond the limits of the
Atlantic.

That morning a gentle breeze came from the west.
This was favourable for the Za, first for getting out of
the Neuse, and then for reaching one of the inlets to
Pamlico Sound that formed a kind of strait communicating
with the open sea.

Two hours later the £éda was still riding at anchor, and
her chain was beginning to haul taut with the ebb-tide.
The schooner had swung round and its bow was turned to
the mouth of the Neuse, the little buoy which the evening
before floated on the port side must have been carried
away in the night; it was no longer visible.

Suddenly a cannon shot was heard, and smoke rose from
the batteries on the coast. It was answered by several
shots from the guns that were echeloned on the fringe of
islands in the offing.

At that moment the Count and the engineer came up
on deck.

The Captain met them.