it would be an undue interference on the part of a
neutral with the revolutionary parties now contending for the control of
Venezuela.

"It was remarked," he writes, "that Castro was the _de jure_ President;"
to which I replied, "that we did not look into these matters, the
opposite party being in _de facto_ possession of the government."

At Curacao the Sumter remained until the 24th July, coaling, refitting,
provisioning, and allowing each of her crew in turn a short run on
shore, to recruit his spirits and get rid of his superfluous cash. At
noon on the 24th she was once more under way, leaving behind her,
however, one of her seamen, a worthless fellow of the name of John Orr,
who, enticed away, as was suspected, by a Yankee captain and the Yankee
keeper of a public-house, took the opportunity to make his escape from
the ship. The loss, however, was not of importance; and after one or two
slight attempts to trace him, the Sumter stood out of the harbour and
shaped her course towards Venezuela.

Daybreak of the 25th July again presented to the eager eyes on board of
the Sumter the welcome apparition of a sail. Chase was immediately
given, and at half-past six the Abby Bradford, from New York to Puerto
Caballo, was duly seized and taken in tow, her Captain proceeding with
her upon her original course towards Puerto Caballo. It was late before
that place was reached, and the night was spent standing off and on
outside the harbour. With the return of day, however, the Sumter ran
once more along the shore; and, without waiting for a pilot, steered
boldly past the group of small, bold-looking islands, and dropped her
anchor in the port.

No sooner was the anchor down than the following letter was despatched
to the Governor, asking permission to leave the prize until
adjudication:--

C.S. steamer Sumter. Puerto Caballo,
July 26th, 1861.

Sir,--I have the honour to inform your Excellency of my arrival at this
port in this ship, under my command, and with the prize schooner Abby
Bradford, captured by me about seventy miles to the northward and
eastward. The Abby Bradford is the property of citizens of the United
States, with which States, as your Excellency is aware, the Confederate
States, which I have the honour to represent, are at war; and the cargo
would appear to belong also to citizens of the United States, who have
shipped it on consignment to a house in Puerto Caballo. Should any claim
be given, howeve