Page:Recollections of a Rebel Reefer.pdf/153



White Haven—The active tug Alar—Meet the Japan, which turns out to be the Confederate cruiser Georgia—Ushant Island—Break neutrality laws, and away to sea—Hoist Confederate flag but don't use it much—Capture our first prize, the clipper ship Dictator—Treatment of prisoners—Cape Verde Islands—Narrow escape from U.S.S. Mohican—Crew of Dictator ship with us—Chasing ships.

R to Little St. James's Street I found that Passed Midshipman Walker had joined the party, and about half-past nine that evening we all proceeded to a railway station where we took a train for White Haven, a little seaport about an hour's ride from London. There we went to a small inn, where we met Commander Maury, Dr. Wheeden, and Paymaster Curtis, and were soon joined all strangers to me. We waited at the inn for by others about a couple of hours there was little, if any, conversation, as we were all too anxious and were all thinking about the same thing. In those two hours it was to be decided whether our expedition was to be a success or a failure. If Mr. Adams, the American Minister, was going to get in his fine work and balk us, now was his last opportunity.

A little after midnight, two by two, we sauntered down to the quay, where we found at least a hundred people gathered near a little sea-going tug called the Alar. It was blowing a gale and a heavy sea was rolling in, which caused the little boat to bump herself viciously against the stone dock, so that but for her ample fenders she must have stove her side in. We hurried on board and Mr. Chapman, taking up a position by the pilot house, said to the crowd on the dock, "Now, men, you know what we want of you; all who want to go with us jump aboard!" About sixty responded to the invitation. The lines were cast off and the Alar shot out of the slip as a man on shore proposed three