Chapter XI

Trying to get a freight--Confederate regulations as to inward cargoes--Sympathizing speculators--Patriotism _versus_ Number One--Basis of blockade running changed from Nassau to Havana--Rigging of the market--Arrival of the _Harriet Lane_ and _Matagorda_--Attention of steamers turned to Galveston--My old friend Captain Dave turns up--His views as to costly vessels for blockade running--He invests in a cheap one--Arrangements for a second voyage.

The question was now, what was to be done next. It was already into the month of April, and it was a very bad time to make a trip, owing to the lengthened days and the prevailing calms. There would be no chance of good steady winds before September, and there would be on the Texas coast about three hours more daylight each day than in winter, and the danger of capture would be very great.

On the other hand, I opined that to lay here heavy loss was certain. The vessel not being coppered, the sea-worms would penetrate her bottom, unless often docked and painted; expenses were high, and it was almost impossible to avoid being victimized by the numerous harpies who regarded blockade runners as a legitimate prey to pick at; and I felt that if I was to lose what little I had, I would rather lose it under the guns of an honest cruiser, than have it wheedled away from me by the flattery of pretended friends; so I determined to venture a trip if I could make arrangements to do so.

The vessel was taken to the ship-yard and put on the slip-dock to be thoroughly examined, caulked, and otherwise put in the best sailing trim preparative for another voyage.

As I have already said, specie money was not to be had in the Confederate States and it was not to the interest of blockade runners to run a heavy risk on the inward trip, by taking in a valuable cargo, and many had run in with light cargoes, knowing that they could always obtain a cargo of cotton cheap, or a freight outward at very high rates.

This, however, had now been stopped by the Confederate authorities, and stringent rules had been enforced whereby all vessels entering a Confederate port must take in a full and valuable cargo.

To obtain this cargo was what I desired either as freight or on vessel's account, and as a large part of the money we had left would be expended in the repairs of the vessel, it would be necessary--if we could not get a freight--to get some one to take a share in the adventure, and as there were so many merchants and speculators who sympathized excessively with the Confederate States and took great interest in furnishing them with supplies, I thought there would be no difficulty in making an engagement.

After applying to several of them, I found their terms to be all about the same; which was, that they were exceedingly wishful to sell me goods for a cargo, but none willing to take a share in the adventure or run any risk. As an exemplification I will mention one case.

There was a gentleman who was one of the most prominent I have referred to, whose office seemed a sort of head-quarters for Confederate exiles. He took a special interest in the smaller class of blockade runners almost to assuming a directorate over them, advising them as to their best policy and particularly directing them as to the proper kind of goods they should carry into the Confederate States, his whole heart and mind being, as he said, given to the cause.

From this gentleman I received a message saying that he desired to see me privately on important business, and as he seemed to take a very great interest in furnishing supplies to the Confederate States, I had no doubt but that he would be ready to make an arrangement with me, I therefore lost no time in calling upon him.

When I went to his office I found him engaged in administering a severe rebuke to some newly arrived Confederate immigrant, and as I entered I heard him use the words, "When a man wishes to serve his country, he has no business to stand upon claptraps."

It was in vain that his trembling auditor pleaded that he had been ill-treated, and that less deserving men had been promoted over his head. This ardent patriot maintained that it was the duty of every true Southerner to do as he himself had done, and that was, to devote his whole heart, energies, and substance to the Confederate cause without quibbling about promotion in office.

On my entering the subject was dropped, and this self-sacrificing champion of the cause came up and shook my hand, saying, "Come away, captain; I am glad to see you! Come into this room; I wish to have a talk with you."

When he had shut the door he assumed a somewhat important and consequential air, and spoke in a tone which he seemed to try to impress upon me was private and confidential.

"Is your vessel ready for sea?" said he.

"Not yet," said I; "but she will be in a day or two."

"Well now," said he, "we have got a nice little consignment of goods; we have got them recently out from London. They have been most carefully selected and put up expressly for the Confederate market; they are expressly what is wanted. We will make an invoice of them to you at the very lowest prices, and all we ask seeing they are for the Confederate States, is just a small commission for our trouble."

I scarcely understood him. "Am I to understand," said I, "that you wish to ship those goods into the Confederacy consigned to a party there."

"Oh no," said he, "what I mean is, that we will let you have them at the very lowest market price. They have been expressly selected for the Confederate market, and all we ask is just a small commission for our trouble."

He spoke in such a consequential and important way that I scarcely knew whether to laugh or swear at him.

"And is this what you wanted to see me about?" I said; "you had the assurance to call me away from my vessel and from my business to ask me to buy goods from you."

"Oh, but this is a particular case; we are only letting you have the goods at that low price because we wish the Confederate States to get the benefit of them."

"I am bored every hour of the day with parties coming to me wishing to serve the Confederate States by selling to me their goods, and all with the same story of their goods being selected expressly for the Confederate market; but you all seem to have the same object in view, that is, to sell your goods, and get your money without running any risk. Now, I know as well as you do what is wanted within the Confederacy, as I have just come from that place, and if I wish to buy goods I can buy them in the open market."

As I said this, I rose and opened the door and walked out of the room.

When I passed into the outer room, I found the gentleman whom he had been lecturing still sitting there; this reminded me of what the merchant had been saying to him about serving his country, and I turned back and said to the merchant--

"I heard you lecturing that gentleman just now, about how a man ought to serve his country, even as you do. Now, if you are so zealous in your country's cause as you represented to him, and desirous, as you say, that the Confederate States should get the benefit of those goods, I will tell you what I will do with you. If you will put your goods on board of my vessel, I will sign a bill of lading to deliver them in a Confederate port--"Dangers of the seas and enemies excepted"--to any agent you may wish to consign them to, and this I will do without charging you one cent for freight."

He seemed somewhat taken aback and annoyed that I should have spoken out in this way in presence of the other party.

He stood confused for a little, and after some hesitation said that he was very desirous to serve the Confederacy, but such an arrangement would be entirely out of their line of business.

He still tried to impress upon me the great advantage I would gain by buying the goods which he said his devotion to the Southerners' cause had induced him to sell at an enormous sacrifice.

As I was desirous to get information as to the price of goods, and know the amount of the sacrifice he was going to make, I told him to send me a list of his goods and the prices, and I would think over the matter. He promised to do this and pressed me very hard to come and dine with him the following evening.

This invitation I declined, and about two days afterwards I received from him a list of his goods and prices, which were just about the same as the goods could have been bought for in any retail store, which was enormously high, as all goods suitable for the Confederate market had been run up to a fabulous price. The article coffee, which was greatly in demand in the Southern States, had been run up to more than three times its usual price in Havana.

I may here say that up to this time blockade running by steamers had been confined almost entirely to the Atlantic ports, while nearly the whole trade into the Gulf States had been done by sailing craft, mostly light-draught schooners. When Charleston and the other ports on the Atlantic were captured, or so closely invested that entrance to them was almost impossible, many of those steamers came to Havana to try what could be done between that port and the Gulf States, and the basis for blockade running was transferred from Nassau to Havana.

Steamers, however, were not much in favour at Havana for blockade-running purposes, and it was considered by some that their utility for this trade was more ideal than real, but of this I will speak hereafter.

Havana having now become the principal centre for blockade running, a crowd of speculators soon found their way to the place, who bought up the goods in the limited market, and run them up to a high figure to sell to blockade runners, representing them, of course, as consignments recently got out from Europe specially selected for the Confederate market. And while trumpeting their zeal for the Confederate cause, they took special care to pocket large profits without running any risk. While to those who actually run the blockade and incurred the risk and danger, but little accrued.

About this time there was one day considerable excitement in Havana, caused by a somewhat important arrival from Texas. Two steamers, the _Harriet Lane_ and the _Matagorda_, arrived together after a very close and exciting chase all the way from Galveston. The _Harriet Lane_ I have already referred to. She was a United States war vessel, which had been captured at the time Galveston was retaken by the Confederates. The _Matagorda_ was a vessel which previous to the war had plied between New Orleans, Galveston, and other places.

These vessels, being of deep draught, had of course to run out by the main channel, and were seen and chased, but managed to keep their distance from their pursuers, who sometimes got so close up as to open fire upon them, but they succeeded in reaching Havana without damage.

The _Harriet Lane_ was never used for any purpose afterwards during the war, but lay in Havana harbour until the end of the war, when she was again restored to the United States Government.

The _Matagorda_ being of lighter draught of water, afterwards made one or two trips to Galveston, but was eventually captured.

The arrival of these steamers at this time with valuable cargoes of cotton, was, however, the means of exciting action to further adventures in steamers into Galveston.

During the time the _Rob Roy_ was undergoing repairs, who should come to the yard one evening but my old friend Captain McLusky, or Captain Dave, as he was familiarly called.

He had succeeded in running out of the Brazos River and getting safe into Tampico, where he had left his small vessel and had come up to Havana to purchase a larger one.

In the course of conversation about vessels I mentioned the one which had been at Tampico the same time as us, the _Sylvia_, which the captain had brought up to Havana in order to sell, and I thought she was a very fine vessel, and would suit him well.

He said she would cost too much money to run the blockade with.

The _Rob Roy_ was at the time upon the ways, and her hull had been closely inspected and found in excellent condition, and the general opinion of the vessel was that she was well modelled and altogether a very fine vessel of her class, and it was with some pride that I took Dave to have a look at her.

"A very fine vessel," said Dave. "Oh, yes, a very fine vessel; but not at all for blockade running."

"How do you mean?" said I.

"How do I mean," said he. "Very well. Now, after you have given her this repair, what do you think will be the value of her?"

"About 5,000 dollars."

"Just so; just so; and you intend to risk 5,000 dollars to run through the blockade into Texas at this time of the year. Why, I have been looking at a thing to-day that will carry as much cotton as the _Rob Roy_ on a foot and a half less water, and I can buy her for 500 dollars."

"And what kind of a thing will that be?"

"Never mind," said he, "you will perhaps see her to-morrow. I have just come to see this man about getting her bottom cleaned and caulked a little, and if he can do it I will bring her to this yard to-morrow. I know all about her, I fitted her out in Trinity River, end she took out a cargo of cotton to Tampico, and has managed to come up here, and when she has done that she will be able to make another trip."

On the following day Dave brought his vessel to the yard, and I went to see her. The owner of the yard was gazing at her in something like silent astonishment. Dave looked at her himself and gave a loud laugh. I did the same, and remarked that surely Captain Dave had now got to the height of his eccentricities.

The owner of the yard, who was a Spaniard, made no remark, but indicated by his look that he was quite ready to do anything to her in the way of repairs so long as he was paid for it.

She was a square barge, perfectly square at the ends, and flat on the bottom. She might be about seventy-five feet long and about twenty-two feet broad, and about six feet deep. She had been built and used for carrying cordwood from Trinity River to Galveston. A long pole was stuck out at one end to serve as a bowsprit, and a rudder fitted on at the other end.

Her bottom was planked longitudinally, and a stout plank or log ran up the centre, forming a keel and bottom for the centre-board casing. She had a centre-board, and was well decked over and strongly planked with thick planks. She was fitted with two masts and rigged as a schooner, and when at a distance under sail, looked much like an ordinary cargo vessel. She might have done well enough to sail and carry heavy loads in such a place as Galveston Bay, but how she had ever managed to get to Havana, I was puzzled to know.

About the same time my old friend Mr. E. M---- came to the yard and took a look at the _Rob Roy_ as she lay on the ways.

He asked me if I had made any arrangements for a trip yet. I said I had not. He said I might come and see him the following day, and he would make me an offer.

On the following day I called upon him. He asked what value I now placed upon the vessel. I said 5,000 dollars when repaired and fitted out ready for sea.

He then said that his offer was that he would furnish a cargo equal in value to that amount, which cargo he would guarantee would satisfy the requirements of the Confederate Government as to inward cargo, and purchase much more cotton than the vessel could carry out, and the surplus would be invested in cotton bonds, which were still worth something in Havana. He would then become owner of half of the vessel, and I would be owner of half of the cargo. We would then be equal partners in the vessel and cargo, each paying his half of the disbursements, out of which he would allow me for my services as captain 500 dollars, to be paid in advance before sailing, and 7 dollars for every bale of cotton when landed in a neutral port.

The cargo which he had to put on board consisted chiefly of arms, which the Confederate Government in Texas stood much in want of at that time.

This offer I accepted, and I asked him to make a memorandom of it in writing, which he did, and handed it to me.

I then got a list of the cargo he proposed to furnish. It consisted of 200 Enfield rifles with bayonets and accoutrements, 400 Belgium muskets with bayonets, 400 cavalry swords, six cases of saddlery and accoutrements, twenty-five boxes of ammunition, a large box of cavalry currycombs and horse brushes, and several bales and cases of blankets, clothing, boots and shoes, hardware, and other goods. Besides this it was good policy to have a good supply of some things which were much esteemed by the Southern people, but which the blockade had cut off and made extremely rare, and in some parts almost unknown, such as tea, coffee, cheese, spices, &c., also thread, needles, and such furnishings. Brandies and wines as well as all spirituous liquors were forbidden to be taken in, but they were received with great thankfulness if given as donations for the use of the hospitals. All these might be entered as ship stores.

This cargo, although valuable, was far from filling up the hold of the schooner, and as I knew that a good inward cargo had great weight with the authorities in the Confederacy, I sent word to Mr. Helm, the Confederate States Consul, that I would sail in a few days for Texas, and I would take free of freight any goods which he might wish to send in.

I received a reply thanking me for the offer, and saying that he would send by my vessel 400 guns. He also said that he had some important despatches to send to General Magruder, which he would confide to my care.

The vessel had now been launched and lay at the Regles, which is on the opposite side of the bay or harbour from the main town of Havana. She was lying at the yard wharf, and alongside of her lay Captain McLusky's Scow, as I called her, which he had got repaired and tolerably well fitted out with a small cabin and forecastle, and being very tight and strongly built, might have stood some rough weather at sea, but from her square box shape I could not see how she could sail on a wind at all.

I frequently bantered Dave on the appearance of his craft.

"Never mind," said Dave, "we will see who is the wisest. Now you see, if you had sold your vessel when you came to Havana for 4,000 dollars, which you could easily have got for her, and bought a thing like this for 500 dollars, you could have bought a cargo for yourself and have something left to fall back upon. If you got captured your loss would not be so great, and if you made the run all right you would have a big load of cotton and the proceeds all to yourself."

"There is, perhaps, something in that," said I, "if you look upon it in that way; but then your chances of being captured are much greater."

"Not so very much," said he. "If you are seen by a steamer you are captured any way: no matter what kind of a vessel you have your chances of escape are not great."

"But steamers," said I, "are mostly along the coast and near the blockaded ports, whereas their sailing vessels are cruising all over the Gulf, and are the greatest danger. Had you seen the hard chase I had from one of their sailing vessels on the outward trip, you would have seen the advantage of having a good weatherly vessel; whereas that thing of yours would have fallen a prey at once."

"Oh," said he, "I have heard enough of blowing about that chase; but you escaped only by the luck of a lull and a change in the wind."

"Still, if we had not had a good vessel we could not have held our own to escape even by that; but who told you about it."

"One of your men that left you at Tampico."

"Oh, that was George. Had he got sober by the time you left there?"

"Just about it; he had spent all his money and was looking for a vessel to ship upon; but I think," added he, "that you will find the sailing vessels are off now, and they have steamers all over the Gulf, and you see there are two of their cruisers in Havana now."

"But," said I, "leaving out the danger of capture by the cruisers, your lives will be in danger in that craft; you will be at the mercy of the wind and seas."

"Not much danger from the weather at this time of the year;" said he, "besides, I have a good large boat, and you will find that on the trip over the sea will be as calm as a millpond, and the want of wind will be the trouble."

"I see, Dave," said I, "that, although you have become personally reckless, you still preserve your old Scotch characteristics in being cautious about the bawbees."

"Ah," said Dave, "you will find that is the point they all steer by, Scotch and all others; and let me tell you this--keep your vessel always heading for the Almighty Dollar, and lay her course as close to it as you can."

"I have tried to do that," said I; "but head-winds, rocks, and currents, always are against me, and drive me out of my course."

"Never mind that," said Dave; "lay her close to the wind and keep your luff."

It was now getting dark, and work in the yard was over for the day.

Dave said that he had an appointment to meet Captain M---- that night at the Louvre, and he asked me to come along with him.

As I had already met Captain M---- at Mr. Helm's dinner party, I agreed to go.

The Louvre was a very large café which was outside the walls of the town, and in the evening was the resort of the better class of café frequenters.

The war between the North and South being the great excitement of the times, and Havana being a city of some importance, neutral, and situated almost between the combatants, was of course replete with partisans of both sides.

It was generally understood that the extremists and talking class of both sides frequented only their respective cafés, where out of each other's hearing they waged a desperate war of words against each other.

The Louvre, was, however, of a higher class, and supposed to be neutral, and here the more active, and at the same time more mild and dignified on both sides often met, exchanged courtesies, and often entered into conversation.

We here met Captain M. and took our seat at one of the marble tables.

Captain M. was a tall, well-built, and handsome man. He was, I think, a native of Baltimore. He was a well-learned and skilful seaman; gentlemanly in his manner, and a bold and successful blockade runner. Some one or two of the steamers which had lately come to Havana was going to attempt to run into Galveston, and he was expecting to get the command of one of them.

We had sat some time enjoying our conversation, and observing the different personages moving about in the throng, when a party of three Federal naval officers, who were wandering listlessly about, happened to come near our table.

"Here," cried Captain M., in a laughing way, "come away and join us."

"What are you?" they replied, also laughing; "A set of blockade runners?"

"We are just that," said Captain M., "and come away and have a drink with us."

"All right," said one, drawing up a chair, "I never object to meet with blockade runners."

"Especially at sea, if they have a good cargo of cotton," rejoined Captain M.

"You are right," replied the other, "although I sometimes think that if I had not been in the United States Navy I would have been a blockade runner myself."

"And I," said another, "next to a naval officer would be a blockade runner."

Captain M. having ordered drinks all round, the conversation became general.

Captain M. inquired of them about a friend of his, Captain C. of the _L._, who had been captured, and he seemed to have been long detained.

They did not know of that case, but thought it most likely that as the capture was off Mobile that the prize would be taken to Key West, and that Captain C. would be there.

"But can't he get away from Key West? Are not steamers often going from that place to New Orleans?"

"Yes, but it is probable that he may be detained at Key West."

"Detained! What for? You don't imprison blockade runners I am sure."

"No, but they are sometimes detained as witnesses to give evidence against the vessel, when the trial comes on in the prize court."

"And how long do they detain them?"

"Until the court sits, and that is uncertain; they are sometimes not in a hurry, and generally like to keep them a good long while. It keeps them out of mischief."

"I know of one," said I, "who was not long detained."

"When, and who was that?"

"One Captain Downs," said I, "of a small vessel called the _Enriquita_."

"Oh, Downs!" they all cried out, "Captain Downs. The _Iniquity_ he used to call his vessel. It was us that captured him. A queer old chap he is. We had all but let him pass on the first overhaul."

I then asked them the particulars about the capture, and they told me the story in pretty much the same words as Downs had told me, and they added that Downs had kept them in amusement by his humour until they got to New Orleans.

They said it was much better for the crew of a captured blockade runner when she was taken into New Orleans than when she was taken into Key West. As in New Orleans they were never detained so long, as prize courts are oftener held; and as New Orleans was a large city full of people from all parts of the world, they generally met with plenty of friends, whereas Key West was little better than a sand-bank, and they were there little better than if in a penal settlement.

"Well then," said I, "when you capture me take me to New Orleans."

They said that they would do so with pleasure if I would just let them know when I was coming out with a good load of cotton.

Such was about the substance of the conversation. Political or national questions, or anything like quizzing on either side being strictly avoided, and of course they learned nothing from us regarding vessels to sail or expected with cargoes, or stratagems adapted by blockade runners; and we learned nothing whatever of the strength or disposition of the blockading fleet in the Gulf or on the Texas coast.

I merely mention the incident of this meeting and conversation because I generally found the United States naval officers to be in the usual phrase very good fellows--and like most of the officers who took a brave and active part on either side in this war--to be high-toned, honourable, and sensible men, and quite free from that rancour and hatred indulged in by narrow-minded political partisans on both sides, who while keeping out of danger themselves, and often becoming rich by war jobbery, kept pouring forth the most scurrilous opprobrium against their respective opponents, and inciting them to cruelties and outrage.

I was now thinking over what port I would try to enter. I was a little sick with the Brazos River on account of the troubles I had had there on last trip, and the entrance to it now was generally blockaded, and it would be impossible to enter during the day, and the bar was dangerous to enter at night without a pilot.

Captain Dave had determined to make for St. Louis Pass at the west end of Galveston Island. This was a shallow entrance on which there was only about four feet of water, and as it was supposed impossible for any vessel to enter there, it was not blockaded. Dave's vessel drawing only about three feet, he meant to make for it.

It was impossible, however, for the _Rob Roy_ to enter there, and on the advice of Captain M. I determined to shape for Galveston, and take my chance of getting past the fleet.

Captain M. was well acquainted with all the shallow entrances to Galveston Bay, and he gave me some information as to how a light draught vessel like the _Rob Roy_ might enter from the eastward or windward side: they were as follows: "On the coast, about thirty miles to the east of Galveston, there are to be seen from sea three lumps or hillocks near each other. Steer for them, and come into three fathoms of water about a mile from the beach. Anchor there, and wait until near nightfall. As night sets in raise anchor and steer about S.W., following the coast along, and keeping in three fathoms water. As you come near the reefs at the entrance to Galveston Bay the water shoals, but keep your course until the water shoals down to about six or seven feet. You are now in the channel, and must proceed cautiously, keeping in that depth which will alter your course to about W.S.W. Keep on this course till the water suddenly deepens to about fourteen feet, change your course now quickly to N.W., and follow this channel up, which will take you into Galveston Bay, and out of danger."

I knew that the trip was likely to be long and tedious, and there would be great danger from calms, drifting by currents, and long daylight, and I expected we would spend much time lying with our sails down.

Having had the experience of the former voyage, I resolved to be well provided with everything to meet these exigencies.

I took about 200 fathoms of rope, and a good heavy grapnel to use in soundings during a calm, to detect a current, and prevent the vessel drifting with it.

I also provided four long and handy sweeps, which I knew would have some effect in propelling the vessel along in a calm. I advised my friend Captain Dave to try the plan of using oars to pull out of danger during a calm, but he laughed at the idea of rowing his vessel.

I also thought of something to screen the man at the helm from the shot of small arms in case of being chased by boats as we had been on the last trip outward.

Not wishing to have any conspicuous arrangement to attract attention I thought of managing this by a small boat. The schooner had davits at the stern, but our boat was far too large to be carried at them. I therefore thought of getting a small boat to carry at the davits, into which any kind of stores, such as firewood, might be put which would form a protection for the man at the wheel.

The difficulty was in getting a suitable boat for this; but I saw a very suitable dingey belonging to a Yankee brig which lay near to us.

I felt a little delicacy in asking the master if he would sell it, thinking he might have some scruples about selling his boat to a blockade runner, for although the brig was under the British flag, I knew her to be a genuine down easter.

I therefore got another person to approach the master, instructing him to offer a good price for the boat, but not to say for whom or for what purpose it was intended.

This device, however, was of no avail. Mr. Yankee was too cute, and before he made any bargain he wormed out of the man who the boat was for, and all about the schooner and where she was bound for.

He was quite willing to trade, would sell the boat for a good price, and more than the boat. He had lots of fine provisions and stores which he had brought out as a spec on his own account; "And," said he, "just tell the captain to come on board and I will trade the boat, and perhaps some other things he may be in want of."

I went on board and saw this captain, and made a bargain for the boat. He then referred to the war and the blockade. He said he was a strong Union man, but still sympathised with the South, and his sentiments were--"Preserve the Union, and accept Jeff Davis for president."

He then told me that he had brought out a number of things as a spec on his own account, and he had not sold them all, and as he was about to sail and did not wish to take them back with him he would sell them to me cheap.

There were several things in the way of stores, but he particularly directed my attention to a quantity of pickled mackerel in kits, which he said he knew would be greatly prized in Texas, as he knew that place, having traded to Galveston before the war, and Galveston was always a great market for pickled mackerel, and that article used to form a large part of his cargo to that place.

I said I was aware of that, and I had already ordered some to be sent on board along with the ship's stores.

He said he had brought out a large quantity of the mackerel, and sold them at one dollar per kit, but if I would take what was left, about thirty-six kits, he would let me have the lot for thirty dollars.

I agreed to take them and also about two dozen small cheeses, the remnant of a lot which he had sold to the speculative merchants in Havana for half a dollar each. I took also some more small articles, and put all into the boat and went back to the schooner, thinking I had made a good bargain with the Yankee, which I certainly had, for when my stores came on board I found the mackerel to be of the same lot, and they were charged to me in the account of stores at four and a half dollars per kit. Cheeses also of the same lot charged to me at two and a half dollars each. Such was about a sample of the profits made at that time by merchants who supplied goods to blockade runners.

Amongst others who at this time came to Havana to reap some benefit from the stir caused by blockade running were several photographers, and they were doing a good business, and albums had been for the first time introduced, and had become all the rage. Every one was having his carte taken, and I was as big a fool as the others.

Captain Dave had invested in an album, and was having it filled up with cartes of his friends. He got one from me and one from Captain M. At the bottom of the carte there was a space in the album for the name of the original, and he wrote, "Captain M. of the _D._," and "Captain W. of the _Rob Roy_," at the bottom of the respective cartes. We little knew at the time where our cartes were destined to be exhibited.

We had now got our cargo on board, and crew shipped. A good crew that I could depend upon, mostly my old hands. Fred, the Swede, who had been with me since we first left Matamoras, Hagan, who joined us in the Brazos River, the mate, and one man who joined us at Tampico, and two others.

We were now all ready to sail, and I only waited for a favourable opportunity.

There were two Federal gunboats which lay between us and the Moro Castle, and which we should have to pass on the way out to sea, and I was pretty certain that they knew we had a cargo of arms on board, but they were to a considerable extent powerless, and we were cleared for Belize, Honduras.

As no vessels were allowed to leave or enter Havana harbour between sunset and sunrise, the best time to leave was just about sunset, so that if any cruisers were lying in the offing we could come to, under the guns of the Moro, until it got quite dark, and then put to sea.

Captain Dave had determined to sail at the same time that we sailed, and as I had been laughing at his vessel, he wished to bet with me a case of brandy that he would arrive in Texas before me if not captured. I did not, however, take the bet, as I intended to creep along cautiously.

I was now well manned and prepared, and my policy was--when it became calm to take down all sail, and make the vessel as unconspicuous as possible; keep a sharp look-out from the mast-head, and if anything appeared on the horizon to get out the sweeps and pull away in the opposite direction before we were observed.

Our vessel being small, the hull very low, and when the sails were down, by keeping a good look-out from the masthead we could see a cruiser sometime before she could see us. Everything being now ready we got what we called the mail on board. This consisted of letters for people in Texas and other parts of the Confederate States, west of the Mississippi River, from all parts of the world. There being no other means of transit, letters for the Confederate States were generally sent to friends or agents in Havana with a view of getting them sent to Galveston or Mobile by some blockade-running vessel.

I also got a packet of despatches from Mr. Helm, Confederate States Consul at Havana, to General Magruder, with directions to destroy them if we fell into the hands of the enemy. We now awaited a favourable wind, and were wishful to get away, as Havana is a very bad place for a vessel's bottom fouling, and every day we lay was injuring the sailing qualities of the vessel.