The ship was at once kept away towards her, and after a long chase, approached at near nightfall to within five or six miles of the strange sail.

The vessel proved to be a brig, and on nearing her Spanish colours were shown by the Alabama.

The brig made no response, and the cruiser proceeded to fire a blank cartridge, as an intimation of her character.

Still the stranger kept doggedly upon her way, without response, and it became a question whether ulterior measures should be taken.

After careful examination, however, of all those various indications by which a sailor can judge of the nationality of a vessel, almost as effectively as from a sight of her colours, it was decided that she was, at all events, not an American; and Captain Semmes, being-anxious to haul by the wind, and make his way with all speed to the westward, the chase was abandoned, and the Alabama proceeded again upon her course.
The next day, Saturday, August 30th, saw the preparations for the battery complete, and the pivot guns finally mounted, and ready for action.