Monday, November 17th.—...  Running before the wind, with studding-sails set on both sides.  At 2 P.M. made the island of Dominica, half a point on the starboard bow.

CHAPTER XIX.

Martinique—­News from home—­Friendly greetings—­Mutiny!—­Order restored—­The San Jacinto—­Neutrality of the port invaded—­Prompt measures—­Expectation—­Ready for action—­Success—­Locking an empty stable—­Temptation—­The Clara L. Sparks—­Refitting—­A court-martial —­Dismissed.

The 18th November saw Captain Semmes again off Martinique, which he had visited in the Sumter just twelve months before.  Making the north end of the island at about 4 A.M., the propeller was lowered and steam got up, the day breaking just as the Alabama’s screw began to revolve.  At 10 A.M., having run past St. Pierre, she anchored in the harbour of Fort de France.

Here she found her faithful consort, the Agrippina, from whom she had parted at Terceira on the 24th of August.  On her departure from that port, she had returned with all speed to Cardiff, from which she had again sailed for the rendezvous at Martinique, and was now ready with a fresh supply of coal for the Alabama, and had been waiting her arrival just eight days.  In addition to the much needed supply of coal, the Agrippina brought a small mail for the Alabama’s officers, who thus received news from friends at home for the first time for more than three months.

No sooner was the anchor down than a lieutenant was sent ashore to pay the usual visit of ceremony to the Governor, carrying with him a note, informing his Excellency of the arrival of the Confederate steamer Alabama in French waters.  A few hours brought a courteous reply, extending to the Alabama the hospitality of the port; and the health officers having visited the ship, arrangements were made for laying in a stock of provisions, and such other articles as were required after the cruise.  Nor were the amenities of the Alabama’s reception confined to the authorities alone.  An enthusiastic greeting awaited her from almost every one; the clubs were placed at their disposal, and invitations a discretion poured in from every side.

It would, perhaps, have been better for the discipline of the Alabama had the welcome extended to her crew been somewhat less cordial.  Weary of their long confinement, and bent, as the sailor always seems to be on first putting into port, on a “good spree,” a considerable number of her men fairly succumbed to the hospitality of the worthy islanders, a result that was not a little aggravated by the exertions of the deserter, Forrest.  This man appears to have entertained a deliberate purpose of exciting a mutiny on board of the vessel, and with this object in view, managed to slip overboard unobserved, swam to a boat, and returned on board with a quantity of spirits, which he distributed through the forecastle.  The result was a disturbance, which at one time wore a serious aspect, and which, but for the energy and promptitude of the means taken to subdue it, might have had very awkward results.