the bar on a rising tide, if possible. All the
usual preparations had been made on board for running through the fleet,
and as no sail was in sight we steamed cautiously in toward the land
until we arrived within a cable's length of the shore, and in the dense
shadow of a comparatively high bluff. Here we dropped a kedge and rode
by the hawser. Although there was no moon, the stars were shining
brightly; and the air was so calm and still, that the silence was
oppressive. While we were lying in the friendly shadow of the bluff,
one of the blockading fleet could be occasionally seen from our deck,
steaming slowly along upon her "beat" a short distance outside of us.
When the time arrived for making the dash at the bar, the kedge was run
up to the bows by willing hands, and the "Lee" started at full speed.
When the land was once fairly got hold of, and our exact position known,
the chances were ten to one in our favor. No blockader could get inshore
of us to cut us off from the bar, and we believed that we could either
go by or go over anything in our course; and in extremity we could beach
the vessel with the probability of being able to save most, if not the
whole of the cargo.

During the month of March, 1863, the Lee's port of destination was St.
George's, Bermuda. This island is easily accessible on the southern
side, and was much resorted to by blockade-runners. Surrounded on all
other sides by dangerous coral reefs, which extend for many miles into
deep water, a vessel of heavy draft can approach from the south within a
cable's length of the shore. A light of the first class at the west end
of the group composing the "Bermudas," is visible for many miles in
clear weather. It may as well be mentioned here, that the
blockade-runners rarely approached _any_ head land during daylight;
"preferring darkness rather than light." The agent of the Confederate
Government, Major Walker, with his staff of assistants, lived at St.
George's; and he and his accomplished wife always welcomed their
compatriots with genuine hospitality. The house of Mr. Black (an
assistant of the Major) was also open to us, and no sick exile from home
will ever forget the tender nursing of Mrs. Black and the kindness of
that whole family. The little graveyard attached to the Episcopal church
at St. George's, contains all that is mortal of several gallant youths
from the south, who died of yellow fever; but they were soothed in the
hours of their last