Once
lashed alongside the sloop, and all haste was made to transfer her
cargo, and the crews of the two vessels were busily engaged in this
operation when, on the 20th of August, the smoke of another steamer was
seen on the horizon, and after a brief interval of suspense, lest the
new comer should prove to be a United States vessel of war, in search of
the escaped Confederate, the Bahama, Captain Tessier, made her number,
and three hearty cheers from the crew of "No. 290" gave welcome to
Captain Semmes, and the other officers late of the Sumter.
Captain Semmes embarked on board the Bahama at Liverpool, on the morning
of Wednesday, 13th August, joining the ship in a steam-tug, the Bahama
having dropped down towards the mouth of the Mersey a few hours
previously. Captain Bullock, who, as it has been said, had seen the new
ship safely off upon her voyage before leaving her at the Giant's
Causeway, and had reported the happy commencement of the adventure,
accompanied him on board the Bahama, in which were also a number of
seamen, shipped, like those on board "No. 290," for a feigned voyage, in
the hope of inducing them to join when the ship was fairly in
commission.
* * * * *
As the tug left us to return to the city--writes Captain Semmes--the
crew gave us three hearty cheers, to which we responded. After a passage
of seven days, we made the island of Terceira, and soon afterwards the
port of Praya, at the eastern end of the island, our appointed
rendezvous.
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