[Footnote 2:  The writer of the Notes in the Index remarks on this curious proceeding:—­“Rather a strange idea we thought.  It put us in mind of a sportsman in California who was very anxious to kill a grisly bear.  At length he found the trail, and after following it for some hours gave it up and returned to camp.  On being questioned why he did not follow in pursuit, he quietly replied that the trail was getting too fresh.  It must have been so with the Keystone State—­the trail was getting too fresh.”]

But if the United States war vessels were somewhat eccentric in their notion of a hot pursuit, it must be admitted that the United States consuls and other agents on shore were by no means equally scrupulous.  Every possible expedient to prevent the Sumter from obtaining the necessary supplies of coal was tried by the consul at Paramaribo, but with less success than his strenuous exertions deserved.  His first idea was to buy up all the coal in the port, and a handsome price was offered—­in bonds on the United States government—­for that purpose.  But with singular blindness to their own interests the merchants of Paramaribo declined to put their trust in these bonds, and the ready money not being forthcoming the hopeful scheme was compelled to be abandoned.  Undismayed by this first failure, the gallant Yankee next sought to charter all the lighters by which the coal could be conveyed on board, and here he was very nearly successful.  One or two of the owners however declined to be bought up, and in the lighters supplied by them the process of coaling commenced.  Still the persevering consul was not to be beaten.  Failing the owners of the contumacious barges, their crews were yet accessible to the gentle influences at his command, and some forty tons of coal found their way to the bottom of the harbour, instead of to the Sumter’s bunkers for which they had been destined.

At length, however, in spite of both active Yankee and dilatory Dutchmen, the operation was completed, and the little Sumter once more ready for sea.  Even now, however, she was not to get away without a parting arrow from her indefatigable enemy.  On the morning of her proposed departure the captain’s negro servant went on shore as usual for the day’s marketing, when he was waylaid by the worthy Yankee and persuaded indefinitely to postpone his return.  Poor fellow! if his fate was anything like that of thousands of others “set free” by their so-called friends of the North, he must have long ere this most bitterly repented his desertion.

There was no time, however, to spare for searching after the runaway, so after a brief conference with the authorities, who were apparently not over anxious for his arrest, the Sumter got up steam and once more proceeded in the direction of Maranham.

CHAPTER V.

Leave Paramaribo—­Across the equator—­A day of misfortunes—­On a sandbank—­A narrow escape—­Maranham—­A Yankee protest—­Bold assertions—­A visit to the President—­News—­False alarms—­Paying bills—­A patriot—­Off again—­A prize—­The Joseph Park—­News of Bull Run—­A sad birthday.