Consul came on
board. Our coaling was suspended until the two ships could be entered at
the Custom House. We lost a couple of hours by this visit, but I was
gratified to learn as the result of it that we might remain quietly and
continue our coaling, &c.

We got the remaining guns into position; got up and loaded some of the
rifles; opened a barrel of cartridges, and made sundry other hasty
preparations for defense, in case any attempt should be made to seize
the ship. At 11.30 A.M. signalled the Bahama, and brought her in to her
anchors. Towards night the weather became rainy, and considerable sea
setting in to the harbour, we shoved the barque off to an anchor. During
the night she dragged her anchor, and we were obliged to send a party on
board her to let go another, to prevent her from dragging on shore.
There was quite a row this evening on board the barque, ending in a
general fight, the sailors by some means or other having managed to get
drunk.

_Saturday, August 23rd._--Morning cloudy and rainy. We were unable to
get the barque alongside, so as to continue coaling before 9 A.M. Still
we are hurrying the operation, and hope to be able to get through by
night. We have all sorts of characters on board, but the crew is working
quite willingly; now and then a drunken or lazy vagabond turning up. The
sharp fellows thinking I am dependent upon them for a crew are holding
back and trying to drive a hard bargain with me.

Getting the battery to rights, and caulking the screw-well, which leaks
badly when she is under way. Made some acting appointments to fill up my
officers. Received on board a fine supply of fresh provisions and
vegetables for the crew. In this beautiful island all the fruits of the
temperate and many of the torrid zone are produced. Pine-apples, pears,
plums, and melons were brought off to us.

We finished coaling, except seven or eight tons, by working until 9
P.M., when the men were fairly fagged out. Hauled the barque off, and
resolved to go out with what coal I had on board, as to finish entirely
would involve a delay of Sunday.

CHAPTER XIV.

_Sunday, 24th August--Fairly afloat--Taking command--The white
ensign--Mission of the Alabama--The Modern Tar--At the pumps--Blowing
hard--A fruitless chase--Short-handed--The Ocmulgee_.

Sunday seemed destined from the very first to be a notable day in the
annals of the new Confederate cruiser.

The morning of Sunday, the 24th August, foun