From this port the fleet had sailed for Santa Cruz de Palma; and the steamer followed her after spending a day at Orotava. On her arrival, the captain learned that the fleet had departed. As none of the vessels were commercial craft, it did not appear that they had entered at the custom-house. As they came from another port in the Canary Islands, they had simply anchored, and the students went on shore to see the town, and what they could of the island, in a few hours. But where had the fleet gone now? for what port had it sailed? The custom-house officials knew nothing about the destination of the squadron. O’Hara and Raymond wandered about the town in search of information. Where was the pilot? there was no harbor to enter, and they had taken no pilot.
“We don’t get ahead any,” said O’Hara, after they had continued the search for some time.
“Don’t you know what the principal’s programme for the voyage among the Isles of the Sea is?” inquired Raymond.
“I don’t know: he never gave me a copy of it.”
“I have heard it said that the squadron was to go to the Cape Verd Islands after Madeira, and then to the Azores.”
“I have heard that same,” added O’Hara. “But don’t Capt. Fairfield know any thing about it?”
As Capt. Fairfield was on shore with the rest of the ship’s company, he was able to speak for himself. He confirmed the impression of the captain and the fourth officer, that the squadron was to go to the Cape Verds. But he did not believe that it had been definitely settled where the vessels were to go; and whether or not they visited certain islands, was to depend upon circumstances. The West Indies had been given up on account of the lateness of the season. While Capt. O’Hara was talking to the instructor about the matter, a custom-house official spoke to Raymond.
“I am told that you wish to know for what port the two steamers and the two schooners that were here three days ago were bound when they left,” said the officer.
“Yes, sir: we desire to know very much,” replied Raymond. “Can you give us any information?”
“I can’t say that I have any official knowledge; but I heard one of the gentlemen from the smaller steamer say they were bound for Porto Praya, in the Cape Verds.”