proceed again to sea, and
cruise beyond the limits of the maritime league from the harbour. The
latter alternative being preferred by the United States Captain, the San
Jacinto put her helm aport, and came slowly round, returning to the
prescribed distance from the shore, where she proceeded to steam slowly
backwards and forwards, in the hope of intercepting her little enemy,
should the latter venture to leave her anchorage.

Pending this submission on the part of the United States cruiser to the
orders of the Governor, the French gunboat Fata received instructions to
get up steam, and shifting her berth, took up her position close
alongside of the Alabama, fully prepared to offer her own contribution
to any controversy that might arise between the two rival vessels. Her
Captain and officers were very friendly, offering every assistance, and
pointing out on the chart the best means of eluding the enemy, the
superiority of whose size and weight put an end to all idea of a
deliberate attack, though there were still some among the crew of the
Alabama who could not relinquish the hope that in making their way out
of the harbour an engagement might be forced upon them.

All the vigilance of the authorities, however, though extending to the
prohibition of any intercourse whatever between the San Jacinto and the
shore, was unable to prevent the Yankee from establishing a code of
signals by which he might at once be put in possession of any movement
on the part of the Confederate steamer, which he now, no doubt, fully
looked on as his prize. Two of his boats were, as was afterwards
discovered, on the look-out during the night, and an understanding had
been come to with the master of the Yankee vessel lying in the harbour
to signal the Alabama's departure.

By dusk, Captain Semmes' preparations were completed; the funds, which
the Martinique merchants had allowed to slip through their
too-widely-opened fingers, were safely despatched on their way to
Liverpool; the necessary supplies were on board; and, with decks cleared
for action, all lights carefully extinguished, and all hands at
quarters, the Alabama stole quietly from her anchorage, and steamed
cautiously across the harbour on her way to the open sea.

It was a period of intense anxiety as the Alabama slipped silently
through the tranquil water of the harbour, each moment bringing her
nearer to the powerful enemy, who, when dusk had shut him from their
view, had been p