CHAPTER XX.

At sea again—­Moulded into shape—­House-cleaning—­Rates of pay—­A timely capture—­The Parker Cook—­A fix—­A good night’s rest—­Sangfroid —­Amid jessamine bowers—­Looking out for a rich prize—­The Mina—­“In consequence of the Alabama."

The Alabama was now on the look-out for a Californian steamer, and it was quite possible that in so doing she might run into a fight.  However, should that be the case, there would be no disposition to shirk it.  The vessel was already three months in commission; and though some of her crew had no doubt been originally a rough lot—­the boys especially picked up in the streets of Liverpool, being designated by Captain Semmes as most incorrigible young rascals—­three months of steady, strong-handed discipline had done wonders in reducing these rough elements to order, and making out of a set of merchant sailors, gathered here and there at random by the prospect of high pay and stirring adventure, as orderly and well-trained a crew as could be found on board many a man-of-war of twice her length of service.

All hands, then, were ready and eager for a brush with the enemy.  It was necessary, of course, that the relative strength of the two ships should not be too disproportionate; but the approach of an United States ship of anything like their own force would have been hailed with delight by all on board.

Considerable excitement was occasioned when, on the second day after leaving Blanquilla, a prospect of an encounter seemed to present itself.  It was still early morning when a sail was reported on the lee bow, and soon the stranger was made out to be a large side-wheel steamer, barque-rigged, and standing towards the Alabama.  She was of considerably superior size, but it was determined at least to see what she was made of; and the Alabama was luffed to the wind, while preparations were made for lowering her propeller and getting her under steam.  It was soon perceived, however, that the stranger was keeping quietly on her course, without paying the slightest attention to these manoeuvres; and as it was pretty certain that no enemy’s ship, so greatly superior in size, would lose so tempting an opportunity, it was at once clear that she must needs be a neutral, probably some French war-steamer bound for Martinique.  So the propeller was left where it was, and the Alabama slipt away again upon her course.

At nine o’clock the same morning, the coast of Porto Rico was in sight, and a few hours afterwards the Alabama entered the Mona Passage, shortening sail as she did so to permit a barque to run up with her for the purpose of ascertaining her nationality.  The barque, which proved to be English, dipped her ensign as she passed to the Stars and Stripes which were flying from the peak of the Alabama; but the compliment not being really intended for the Confederate vessel, but for her enemies, was, of course, not returned.