CHAPTER XXVI.
_Discomforts of life at sea--A stern chase--Seized--The Punjaub ransomed--Rain-squalls--A luxury--The Morning Star--Neutral cargo--The Fairhaven--The Ino on the look-out--The Charles Hill--The Nora--Fire-water--Commercial morality--The Louisa Hatch--Black Diamonds--Coaling at sea under difficulties--Fernando de Noronna._ Captain Cooper, of the John Parks, and his wife and two nephews, were fortunate in not being condemned to a long period of captivity.

The burning remains of his unlucky vessel were still within sight, when an English barque ranged up alongside of the Alabama, and an arrangement was soon effected with her captain to convey the whole party to England.
A long interval now, with nothing but the Englishman's excitement--the weather--to break the weary monotony of an eventless voyage.

So far, however, as gales of wind could offer a distraction, the Alabama had little of which to complain, and the vessel rolled and tumbled about in the heavy seas in a manner which sorely tried the endurance of, at all events, her unfortunate captain.
The gale still continues, writes Captain Semmes, on the 11th March.

Wind E.N.E.For four days now we have been rolling and tumbling about, with the wind roaring day and night through the rigging, and rest more or less disturbed by the motion of the ship.

Sea-life is becoming more and more distasteful to me.