CHAPTER XXI.
_The Alabamans lucky day--A trial of speed--Brought to--The Ariel--Buying an elephant--Prisoners of war--Prize-money--Still on the look-out -- Broken down--A dilemma--Yellow fever--Release of the Ariel -- Under repair_.
Sunday again! The Alabama's lucky day; and this time, at least, destined to be especially marked with white chalk in the annals of the ship.

The morning passed calmly enough; the ship in her quiet Sabbath trim; and nothing giving token of what was about to follow, save here and there a group anxiously scanning the horizon, or eagerly discussing the chances of a rich capture before nightfall.
The forenoon wore slowly away, and five bells had just sounded, when the cry of "Sail, ho!" from the masthead put every one on the _qui vive, _the excitement growing rapidly more and more intense as bit by bit the description of the stranger became more accurate and minute.

She is a steamer--and a large one! That sounded well, and the hopes of the sanguine rose higher and higher.

Brigantine rigged--and a side-wheel steamer!--so far so good.

This answers exactly to the description of the Californian steamers.