It was then about 4 o’clock, and for nearly an hour there was nothing but “box-hauling” the yards, when suddenly Jonathan caught a breeze and crept up alongside, and seemed very much inclined to pass us. All possible sail was set and trimmed most carefully but still _Tornado_ gained, and all was anxiety and excitement. At last the strength of the breeze came to us, and for a few minutes there was a most exciting race, some even feared that we were going to be beaten; but the _Lightning_ showed her wonted superiority, our antagonist dropped astern, and a hearty cheer from us announced our victory. The wind then fell light again, and twice freshened and caused the same capital match; but the _Tornado_, though evidently a first-rate sailer—being one of the early Californian clippers—could not manage us; and, as the night closed in, and the breeze became more steady, we gradually bid him good-bye. =Wednesday, 15th October.=—Lat. 9° 27′ N., long. 27° 45′ W. Distance 77 miles. Our American friend kept in sight until sunset. =16th-19th October.=—N.E. trades. =20th-28th October.=—Doldrums. The _Lightning_ only averaged 55 miles a day for nine days. =Wednesday, 29th October.=—Lat. 28° 31′ N., long. 35° 39′ W. Distance 108 miles. At 4 a.m. a light breeze sprang up from the norrard. 6.30 a.m., spoke a large American ship, the _Clarendon_, from Malta to New Orleans. 8 a.m., going 7 knots, almost a “dead on end” wind, but any wind at all is a change. Passed a brig to leeward and are overhauling three ships, which are ahead standing on the same tack. About 3 p.m., passed the _Cid_, of Hambro, a very pretty little clipper barque. =Thursday, 30th October.=—7 a.m., tacked ship to N.N.W. A large ship in sight went about at the 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. (The ship was the _James Baines_ and I have already described the encounter between the two Black Ballers.) =Wednesday, 5th November.=—Lat. 36° 30′ N., long. 35° 11′ W. Distance 165 miles. (Distance made since 9th October 2219 miles or 76⅔ miles daily.) During the night the wind suddenly shifted, catching the ship all aback; in the first puff the fore topmast stunsail boom was carried away. Passed a three-masted schooner steering to the westward, she showed an English Ensign, but from her rig appeared more like an American. She had no foresail or mainsail, but large main and mizen staysails, and a host of other staysails, square-rigged forward; was about 300 tons. =Friday, 7th November.=—The islands of Pico, Fayal, etc., in sight.