But we were soon left far astern, and the stranger was out of sight long before we could have got up steam and lowered the propeller in chase.
About 3 P.M.made the island of Tortuga.

A sail reported on the starboard bow, standing across our bows on the _port_ tack.
Through the stupidity of the look-outs the next thing we knew was that she was off on the starboard quarter, and to windward of us, she having been on the _starboard_ tack all the while! I turned in to-night, hoping to get some rest, as I had been up the greater part of last night.

But after undressing, and before getting into my cot (10 P.M.), the officer of the deck came below in a great hurry to say there was a large vessel running down on us--we were hove to--which appeared to be a steamer.

Immediately ordered the officer to fill away; went on deck, and at a glance perceived that the sail was a brig running clear of us, and some distance astern.
Went below again, and this time succeeded in actually getting into bed, when I was again aroused by the announcement that a vessel, with very white canvas, was running down upon us, a little forward of our weather beam.

Went on deck, filled away again, and ran on under easy sail to assist the stranger's approach.