We were nine days making our port, so light were the
airs we had to sail on, so fold the ship's bottom ; but early
on the tenth, before dawn, and in a light, lifting haze, we
passed the head. A little after, the haze lifted, and fell
again, showing us a cruiser very close. This was a sore
blow, happening so near our refuge. There was a great
debate of whether she had seen us, and if so whether it was
likely they had recognized the "Sarah." We were very
careful, by destroying every member of those crews we
overhauled, to leave no evidence as to our own persons; but



54 U/orKs of r^obert Couis Steuepsoij

the appearance of the "Sarah" herself we could not keep so
private; and above all of late, since she had been foul and
we had pursued many ships without success, it was plain
that her description had been often published. I supposed
this alert would have made us separate upon the instant.
