It must have been so with the Keystone State--the trail was getting too fresh."] But if the United States war vessels were somewhat eccentric in their notion of a hot pursuit, it must be admitted that the United States consuls and other agents on shore were by no means equally scrupulous.
Every possible expedient to prevent the Sumter from obtaining the necessary supplies of coal was tried by the consul at Paramaribo, but with less success than his strenuous exertions deserved.

His first idea was to buy up all the coal in the port, and a handsome price was offered--in bonds on the United States government--for that purpose.

But with singular blindness to their own interests the merchants of Paramaribo declined to put their trust in these bonds, and the ready money not being forthcoming the hopeful scheme was compelled to be abandoned.

Undismayed by this first failure, the gallant Yankee next sought to charter all the lighters by which the coal could be conveyed on board, and here he was very nearly successful.

One or two of the owners however declined to be bought up, and in the lighters supplied by them the process of coaling commenced.