told the pilot, and several gentlemen from the shore, in great confidence, that I am going back to cruise on the coast of Cuba.
The packet will of course take that intelligence to St. Thomas.
July 23d.—Still coaling, refitting and painting.
Weath of June, that ship giving us chase.
On the morning of the 3d of July, I doubled Cape Antonio, the western extremity of Cuba, and, on the same day, captured, off the Isle of Pines, the American ship, Golden Rocket, belonging to parties in Bangor, s, and worth between thirty and forty thousand dollars. I burned her. On the next day, the 4th, I captured the brigantines Cuba and Machias, both of Maine, also.
They were laden with sugars.
I sent them to Cienfuegos, Cuba.
On the 5th of July, I cwill take charge of the prize bark, Joseph Maxwell, and proceed, with her, to some port on the south side of the island of Cuba, say St. Jago, Trinidad, or Cienfuegos.
I think it would be safest for you to go into Cienfuegos, as the enemy, from the
mself with untiring zeal to the welfare of his stricken crew, without intermission, by night or by day. On the fifth day after leaving Green Key, the Florida found herself off the little island of Anguila.
By this time the epidemic had reduced her working crew to one fireman, and four deck hands.
It was now no longer possible to keep the sea, and Maffitt evading the blockade of the enemy—a happy chance having drawn them off in chase—ran his ship into the port of Cardenas, in the island of Cuba.
Here he was received kindly by the authorities and citizens, but as the yellow fever was epidemic on shore, no medical aid could be obtained.
Stribling was now dispatched to Havana for a surgeon, and to ship a few men, if possible.
Helpless and sad, the suffering little crew awaited his return.
One by one, the officers were attacked by the disease, until Maffitt was left almost alone, to nurse, and administer remedies to the patients.
But things were not yet at their worst.
On the 13th