All hands arrived at Terceira in the best spirits, and highly delighted with their new ship.
The bay of Porto Praya, in which "No.

290" was anchored is of no very great extent, but presents excellent holding ground for vessels, and is sheltered from all but easterly winds.

Three or four small forts occupy positions on the shore, but appear never to have been armed, and are at present falling rapidly into decay.

The bay itself is secluded, and not particularly well supplied with the means of sustenance, fruit and vegetables being tolerably plentiful, but water very scarce, and beef a luxury only to be obtained by importing it from Angra, on the other side of the island.

The officers however were kindly and hospitably received by the inhabitants, and the best the place afforded placed at their disposal.
As yet the expected consort of the Confederate vessel had not arrived, and some anxiety was felt by Captain Butcher and his brother officers, as day after day passed by, and no signs of her appeared.