So much troubled had I now become, that I went down to New York to see the owners of the ship.
"'Has the Empress arrived out yet ?' I asked, on entering the counting-room.
"'Not at the latest dates,' was the reply, made in a voice expressive of concern.
"'Is not her passage a very long one ?' "'We should have had news of her arrival ten days ago.' "'Has she been spoken on the passage ?' "'Never but once, and that after she was three days out.' "'Is she a good ship ?' I next inquired.
"'None better out of this port,' was the prompt answer.
"For ten days I remained in New York, eagerly examining each morning the shipping lists, and referring to all the southern papers to which I could get access.

I met during that time but one reference to the Empress, and that was contained in a paragraph alluding to her long passage, and expressing great fears for her safety.

This thrilled my heart with a more palpable and terrible fear.

On the next day but one, I met in a New Orleans paper a further allusion to her, coupled with the remark that a suspicious-looking vessel, clipper-built, with a black hull, had been seen several times during the past few weeks cruising in the Gulf, and expressing a fear lest she had come across the Empress.

I thought this would have driven me beside myself.