The _James Baines_ sailed from Melbourne at 1 p.m. on 7th August, 1856, passing through the Heads the following morning. On the 9th she made her best run, 356 miles, royals and skysails being set part of the time, the wind fair but squally. She made one more good run, of 340 miles, and then was held up by light airs and calms all the way to the Horn; here she encountered heavy gales, snowstorms and high cross seas. She was 36 days to the pitch of the Horn; then from 26th September to 8th November another spell of light and baffling winds delayed her passage, and she was 65 days from Port Phillip to the line. On the 30th October, her great rival the _Lightning_, which had sailed from Melbourne just three weeks behind her, hove in sight, and the two ships were in company for a week. The meeting of the two Black Ballers is joyfully recorded in the _Lightning Gazette_, as follows:— 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.