"The Askold was not waiting for the other cruisers to come
up astern. She was going at her utmost speed and over-hauling the battleships,
just as if she meant to place herself ahead of the Retvisan as leader of the
squadron. The latter assumption seemed likely. Presumably the captain of the
Pallada thought so too. He did not increase speed so as to follow the Askold,
but even reduced speed, with the evident intention of allowing the squadron to
draw ahead and then to take up his proper station astern of the last
battleship. Our place in the battle formation was astern of the Pallada. We
were waiting impatiently for further orders. When the Askold had got ahead of
the Retvisan, she hoisted the signal: "Keep in my wake," but again without a
distinguishing signal , and turned to port. In this signal and in this
manoeuvre we read the determination to lead the squadron to seaward again, and
against the enemy, who appeared no longer anxious to fight."
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