The drums beat to quarters, decks were cleared for action, and every preparation made for combat, as the Confederate cruiser stood boldly out to meet her expected foe.

But again the eager crew were doomed to disappointment.

They were no more to fight than to capture prizes.

As the stranger drew near, the white ensign of St.George fluttered gracefully to her peak, and after the customary interchange of civilities, the two vessels went on their respective courses, and the little Sumter was once more alone on the wide ocean.
A change of cruising ground was now again resolved on, and a course shaped for the West Indies.

Still, however, without success, and at length the supply of water beginning to fail, the cruise was abandoned, and on the 9th November the Sumter steamed into Fort de France in Martinique, having been fifty-seven days at sea..