At this period an accident occurred which for some time deprived the Sumter of the active supervision of her commander.  Always of delicate constitution, and ill-fitted for the rough part he had now to play, he had lately been still further weakened by illness; and on mounting the companion-ladder, for the purpose of desiring that the vessel might not be driven at so high a speed against the heavy head-sea, a sudden giddiness came over him, and after leaning for a few moments with his head upon his arm, altogether lost consciousness, and fell heavily backwards down the companion to the cabin floor, where he lay for some time in a state of insensibility.  The result of this fall was some very serious bruises, with a difficulty in breathing, which for some days kept him confined to his hammock.  At this time, however, the Sumter was quite out of the ordinary track of commerce, and was labouring slowly through a heavy sea against the steady and tenacious trade-wind at the rate of little more than five knots an hour, making terrible inroads upon the small supply of coal which was so precious to her.

The 13th July found the trade-wind increased to a regular gale, the Sumter making literally no way at all against the heavy head-sea.  In this state of affairs it was found necessary to abandon the previous intention of making for Barbados, as there was not sufficient coal on board to last the distance.  This project, therefore, was given up, the vessel’s head turned from the sea, the fires let down, the ship got under sail, and a new course shaped for Curacao.  Here it was hoped that a fresh supply of coal might be obtained, and the little Sumter staggered along under a press of canvas towards her new destination, the violent motion causing great distress to the captain, who was still confined to his cabin, and almost entirely to his hammock.

On the 15th July, the weather moderated for a time, and a warm sunny afternoon, with comparatively little sea, gave an interval of rest.  The next morning saw the wind again blowing freshly, but at 9 A.M. land was seen on the starboard bow, and at four in the afternoon the Sumter passed the north end of the island of Curacao, running down the coast to within about a mile of St. Anne’s, where she arrived at a little after seven o’clock.  A gun was fired as a signal for a pilot, and soon after one came off, promising to return again in the morning, and carry the vessel into harbour.

Morning came, and, true to his word, the pilot once more made his appearance upon deck.  But the remainder of his promise he was unable to fulfil.  “The Governor regrets,” he said, in reply to Captain Semmes’ inquiries, “that he cannot permit you to enter, he having received express orders to that effect.”  A little diplomacy, however, soon removed the difficulty, which had arisen from the urgent representations of the United States consul on the previous evening, aided, no doubt, by a defective description of the vessel from the pilot.  Lieutenant Chapman was sent on shore with the following letter to the Governor:—­