A MEETING T SEA. 465 



called aft passengers, sailors, cook, and cabin-boy, spread 

 the chart on the companion-way, and pointed out our 

 supposed position, saying that he wished to take the 

 advice of all on board as to what was best to be done. 

 The mate sat by with the log-book to take notes. All 

 remained silent until the cook spoke, and said that the 

 captain knew best ; the sailors and passengers assented ; 

 for, although we considered it all uncertain, and that we 

 were completely lost, we believed that he knew better 

 than anybody else. The captain pointed out the course 

 of the Gulf Stream, said it would be impossible to turn 

 back against it, and, having a light, favourable breeze, 

 recommended that we should follow the stream, and 

 bear up for New Providence for a supply of provision^ 

 and water. All assented, and so we put about from 

 the south and squared the yards for the northeast. At 

 that moment we considered ourselves farther from Ha- 

 vana than when we started. 



With most uncomfortable feelings we sat down to a 

 scanty meal. Supposing that we were ia the Gulf 

 Stream and in the track of vessels, the captain sent a 

 man aloft to look out for a sail^ who very soon, to our 

 great joy, reported a brig to leeward. We hoisted our 

 flag and bore down upon her. As we approached she 

 answered our signal, and with a glass we recognised 

 the American ensign. In an hour we were nearly with- 

 in hailing distance ; the captain could not speak Eng- 

 Ish, and gave me the speaking-trumpet ; but fancying, 

 from his movements, that our countryman did not like 

 he Spanish colours, and afraid of some technical irreg- 

 ularity in my hail, which would make us an object of 

 suspicion, we begged him to lower the jolly-boat. This 

 was lying on the deck, with her bottom upward and her 

 seams opened by the sun. The water poured into hei; 



Vol. II.— 3 N 



