CHAPTER XVII.
_Out of luck--Tempest-tossed--Rotatory storms--A prize--The case of the Lafayette--A long chase--The Crenshaw--Neutral or not ?--Rough again--The Lauretta--Condemned!--The Baron de Custine--Released on bond._ The Alabama was again out of luck.

For the second time since her departure from Terceira, nearly a fortnight passed without bringing a single prize.

It was, indeed, hardly to be expected that the splendid success which had attended the first three weeks of her cruise could be maintained.

From the 1st to the 18th of September, she had captured and destroyed no less than ten vessels, of an aggregate value of nearly two hundred and fifty thousand dollars.

Then had followed an interval of a fortnight, during which one vessel only was overhauled, and proving to be French, permitted to proceed.