This little schooner was in ballast, and skimmed over the seas like a Mother Carey's chicken; ranged up on our weather quarter and hailed us.

It proved to be the Young Pilot, Captain Moncrieff, bound to Savannah.

The mate, whose name was Campbell, was known to Captain Thompson.

They had been boarders in the same house.
After an interchange of salutations and hearty wishes for a pleasant voyage, the little schooner rapidly drew ahead and passed on her way.
There was nothing remarkable in this incident.

I little thought at the time that this egg-shell of a vessel was destined to exercise an important influence on the future events of my life.
On the morning of the Fourth of July we were off the Chesapeake Bay, some twelve or fifteen miles from Cape Henry.