It was wonderful how quickly they went, and I began to think that the junk would escape.  Three miles would be enough to place her all amongst the reefs and shoals, where the gunboat dare not follow; and I was thinking, as we glided rapidly in her wake, that the _Teaser_ would chase her swiftly for about half the distance, and then lower the boats to continue the pursuit, but I was wrong; I saw that the captain gave Mr Reardon some order, then the gong rang in the engine-room, the way of the _Teaser_ was checked, a turn of the wheel made her describe a curve, and she slowly came to a standstill broadside on to the flying junk.