The governments of those two countries threw every possible obstacle in his way.

The French pilots were forbidden to serve the _Kearsarge_, and Captain Winslow had to be his own pilot--something he was well able to do because of his familiarity with the coasts.
Finding the _Florida_ in Brest, he blockaded the port.

It was in the depth of winter and the shore was dangerous, but Winslow did his duty so well that the _Florida_ dared not poke her nose outside, until he was compelled, because of shortness of provisions, to steam over to Cadiz to obtain them.

He made all haste to return, but when he arrived the _Florida_ had slipped out and was gone.
There was no telling to what part of the world she had fled, and Captain Winslow sailed to Calais, where he learned that the rebel _Rappahannock_ was awaiting a chance to put to sea.

He held her there for two months, when a French pilot purposely ran the _Kearsarge_ into the piers along shore.