About nine o'clock
True , the _ Angamos _ was a faster ship ; but the _ Union _ drew far less water ; and , since she would probably be found -- if found at all -- somewhere among the shoal waters of the Straits , she might be able to get away by dodging into shallow water among the numerous islands , where the _ Angamos _ , with her deeper draught , would be unable to follow . Darkness fell very shortly after the two ships had started on their run toward the Straits ; and the lanterns on their foremasts were lighted after the same manner as on the previous night ; while they surged along over the indigo-coloured water at the rate of about nine knots an hour , a sharp look-out being maintained meanwhile for the appearance of the _ Union _ . But to the great disappointment of everybody , that craft most persistently refused to put in an appearance ; and when the next morning dawned the high , rocky cliffs of Tierra del Fuego and the Patagonian coast lay before them , and it became evident that the Peruvian had either retreated up the Straits , or that she was still behind them . About nine o'clock the two ships , still flying the Peruvian colours , entered the Straits , and immediately slowed down to half-speed , not only on account of the intricate navigation , but also to give the _ Union _ a better chance of overtaking them if it should happen that she really was still astern . Catharine Point was passed and left behind , and the two steamers crossed Lomas Bay into the `` First Narrows , '' where Jim thought it possible that the _ Union _ might be waiting ; but she was not there . They were steaming slowly across Elizabeth Bay , and Douglas was beginning to fear that the corvette had eluded him , after all , when a voice , hoarse with excitement , hailed from aloft : -- `` On deck there ! I can see three mastheads showing above that hummock of rock at the entrance to the ` Second Narrows ' ; and there is a column of smoke visible , too , so the craft must be a steamer .