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, found her afloat ready for sea; the delicate operation of transhipping stores in an open roadstead safely accomplished, a supply of coal on board sufficient for some weeks of average steaming, and six of her guns mounted and ready to cast loose for action at a moment’s notice.  The early hours of the morning were occupied in washing down the decks which were covered thickly with coal, and making matters above board as shipshape as under the circumstances could be managed.  By noon this was finished, and all was ready for sea.  A brief space was then devoted to the no less necessary operation of dining, and at noon steam was got up, the anchor weighed, and “No. 290” stood out to sea, the Bahama still keeping her company.