But at 5.30 I observed a dense column of smoke, which, as it grew later, turned into a ruddy glare, leaving no doubt in our minds as to the fate of the whalers.

At 7 P.M.observed the Alabama coming round the northern part of the island with a vessel in tow, both anchoring at 7.30.The next morning I learnt that the captures were the barque Lafayette, of New Bedford, and the brig Kate Cory, of Westport.

The barque was burnt and the brig kept, it being our intention to send off all the prisoners we had on board, consisting of 140, including the women stewardesses, in her; but on communicating with the authorities, it was resolved to land them on the island, a Brazilian schooner engaging to convey them to Pernambuco.

For this purpose provisions for twenty-one days were sent ashore, the prisoners, after being paroled, following.
The remainder of the day was spent in transferring provisions, &c., for ship's use.

The next evening the prizes, the Louisa Hatch and Kate Cory, slipped cables, and stood seaward.