14 LEAVING BOSTON. 



numerous consultations. A handful of papers was 

 put into my possession, and I became the sole owner 

 of the schooner United States and the property on 

 board of her. The sun had set before our conference 

 ended, and the wind promising to hold from the east- 

 ward during the night, I returned to Boston with Mr. 

 Baker, in his yacht. 



Upon arriving at the schooner next morning, I 

 found that the executive officer had availed himself 

 of the delay to break out the ship's hold and effect a 

 better stowage of the deck cargo. Indeed, we were 

 in no condition for going to sea. Many of the stores 

 were hurried on board at the last moment, and the 

 deck was hterally covered with boxes and bales, 

 which, in the haste of departure, could not be stowed 

 away. It was long after nightfall when the hatches 

 were closed and every thing secured ; but as the pilot 

 did not come on board, we were compelled to wait 

 until daylight. 



I passed the night on Mr. Baker's yacht, which lay 

 near by, with some kind friends who would not quit us 

 until they saw us fairly off. The pretty yachts Stella 

 and Howard, to whose gentlemanly owners I was in- 

 debted for courteous attentions, also kept us company. 



With the first gray streak of the dawning day, this 

 little fleet tripped their anchors and glided home, 

 bearing our last good-byes, while we, with a fair wind, 

 stood out to sea. 



Before the night closed in, the coast had sunk out 

 of sight, and I was once more tossing on the waves 

 of the broad Atlantic. Again I saw the sun sink be- 

 neath the line of waters, and I watched the changing 

 clouds which hung over the land I had left behind me, 

 until the last faint flush of gold and crimson had 



