We had made a successful run through the blockade, and were lying under Fort Fisher, when as daylight broke we heard a heavy firing, and as it got lighter we saw a blockade-runner surrounded by the cruisers.

Her case seemed hopeless, but on she came for the entrance, hunted like a rabbit by no end of vessels.

The guns of the fort were at once manned, ready to protect her as soon as her pursuers should come within range.

Every effort was made to cut her off from the entrance of the river, and how it was she was not sunk I cannot tell.

As she came on we could see N----, her commander, a well-known successful blockade-runner, standing on her paddle-box with his hat off, as if paying proper respect to the men-of-war.