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160 Cubana. And every bell boy was full of the entertaining story of how the Confederates had fooled the Yankees, and were now about to sail under the certain protection of the English flag. No secret was made of it. Everybody was to see them off on the Trent bound for Bermuda.

Captain Wilkes made up his mind. Lieutenant Fairfax suggested some doubts. Doubts constituted no argument against a lifetime of decision. When the British packet sailed into the Bahama Channel she found Captain Wilkes waiting for her, and her distinguished guests were provided with other quarters in short order, flag or no flag.

When this news reached Broadway, Back Bay and points north and west, there was the greatest demonstration ever seen. The hated prisoners were led to a secure resting place, while bells rang, and orators spoke, and the Captain was wined and dined and thanked by Congress and forty Chambers of Commerce. The Revere House in Boston was the scene