Thursday, 30th October.—Lat. 29° 03′N., Long 33° 14′W. Distance 131 miles. Wind more easterly; 7 a.m. tacked ship to N.N.W. A large ship in sight went about at same time, ahead of us. During forenoon Captain Enright expressed himself confident that she was the _James Baines_. Great excitement and numerous conjectures, bets, etc. One thing certain, that she sailed almost as fast as ourselves, and her rigging and sails were similar to those of the _Baines_. By sunset we had both weathered and gained on our companion.
Friday, 31st October.—Lat. 30° 31′ N., Long. 35° 15′ W. Distance 137 miles. All night light airs, and early dawn showed us our friend much nearer. At 8 a.m., she at last responded to our signals by hoisting the “Black Ball” at the mizen! and a burgee at the gaff, with her name—_James Baines_! Great excitement spread throughout the ship, and the conversation was divided between sympathy for all on board our unfortunate predecessor and conjectures as to the cause of her detainment. All day we were watching her every movement; now she gains, now we near her; now she “comes up” and now “falls off.” About 2 p.m., we were evidently nearer than in the morning. A conversation _a la_ Marryat. The _Baines_ informed us that her passengers were all well, asked for our longitude, if any news, etc. Captain Enright invited Captain McDonald to dine, but he did not respond. At 5 a.m., still light airs, _James Baines_ distant 1½ miles.
Saturday, 1st November.—Lat. 31° 12′ N., Long. 36° W. Distance 56 miles. During Friday evening, about 8 o’clock, the wind being still very light, we passed to windward of the unfortunate _James Baines_; so closely that we could hear the people on board cheering, and most vociferously did some of our passengers reply, with the addition of a profuse supply of chaff: such as amiable offers to take them in tow, a most commendable solicitude as to their stock of “lime juice,” very considerate promises to “say they were coming” on arrival at Liverpool, etc. All night the wind was light and baffling. At 2 a.m. it suddenly chopped round to the N.W., and the ship was put on the port tack. At 4, she was put about again. At 6.30, tacked ship to eastward, light airs and variable. The _James Baines_ about 6 miles to leeward, a little brig on lee bow—which had been in company all Friday, and a barque on lee quarter. At 9, the brig, having put about, stood up towards us, and passing close to leeward, showed the Hambro ensign with private number 350. We once more tacked ship and stood to the northward and westward, the others following our example, and the breeze freshening, we all started on a race. The barque hoisted her ensign and number and proved to be the _Cid_, which we passed on the 29th ultimo. The brig soon after bore away to his “chum” to leeward, and they had a quiet little race to themselves, in which the barque appeared to be the victor.