unset the chaser was
about four miles astern and gaining upon us. Calling two of my most
reliable officers, I stationed one of them on each wheel-house, with
glasses, directing them to let me know the instant they lost sight of
the chaser in the growing darkness. At the same time, I ordered the
chief engineer to make as black a smoke as possible, and to be in
readiness to cut off the smoke, by closing the dampers instantly, when
ordered. The twilight was soon succeeded by darkness. Both of the
officers on the wheel house called out at the same moment, "We have lost
sight of her," while a dense volume of smoke was streaming far in our
wake. "Close the dampers," I called out through the speaking tube, and
at the same moment ordered the helm "hard a starboard." Our course was
altered eight points, at a right angle to the previous one. I remained
on deck an hour, and then retired to my state-room with a comfortable
sense of security. We had fired so hard that the very planks on the
bridge were almost scorching hot, and my feet were nearly blistered. I
put them out of the window to cool, after taking off slippers and socks.
While in this position, Miss Lucy G. came on the bridge in company with
her father. Tapping my foot with her hand, she said, "Ah, captain, I
see we are all safe, and I congratulate you!" At one time during the
chase, when capture seemed inevitable, the kegs containing the gold had
been brought on deck, and one of them opened by my orders, it being my
intention to distribute its contents among the officers and crew. Miss
Lucy, who preserved her presence of mind throughout the trying scenes of
the day, called me aside, and suggested that she should fill a purse for
me, and keep it about her person, until the prize crew had taken
possession, and all danger of personal search was over, when she would
make an opportunity to give it to me; and I have no doubt she would have
accomplished her intentions if occasion had required. The chaser proved
afterwards to be the "Iroquois." Feeling confident that she would
continue on the course toward Abaco, and perhaps have another and more
successful chase, I changed the destination of the Lee to Bermuda, where
we arrived safely two days afterward.

Upon the arrival of the Lee at Wilmington, after one more trip to
Nassau, I was summoned by telegraph to Richmond. An attempt was to be
made for the release of the prisoners at Johnson's Island. This island,
situated in the ha