CHAPTER XXV.
_Not easily baffled--Two prizes--The Olive Jane--The Golden Eagle--The white ensign saluted--In trepidation--Obstinacy--The Washington--The William Edward--Patience Rewarded--Case of the John S.Parks._ More than a week passed without the occurrence of any event worthy of record.

Saturday, the 21st February, however, brought an exciting chase.
By 8 A.M.four vessels had been reported in sight.

The first seen proved too far ahead and to windward, to be worth chasing, and sail was then made in the direction of two others, which were observed to be exchanging signals with considerable diligence.

Their conversation ended, they parted company and sailed off in different directions, evidently with the object of distracting the attention of the Alabama which was now in full chase.
But the Alabama was not so easily to be baffled.

Devoting her attention first to the vessel which appeared by her slower rate of sailing to offer the promise of an easier capture, she got up steam as she went along, and the black smoke was already poured from her funnel and the propeller beginning to revolve as she came within hail of the chase.