Even this chivalrous determination, however, was of no avail.  A second gun from the pursuer quickly followed upon the first, and this time the command was pointed by the emphatic accompaniment of a round shot which went whizzing through the rigging of the chase.  Finding his enemy in earnest, the ship now gave up the game, and hove to with the United States colours at her peak.  Putting a prize crew on board, the Alabama wore round, and started at full speed in the direction of the second vessel, which was making the best of her way off, and was by this time some fifteen miles distant.  The Alabama was now, however, under a full head of steam, flying through the water at the rate of three to one of the chase, and by the end of a couple of hours, she also was brought to, with the Stars and Stripes flying, and her maintopsail to the mast.

A rapid investigation of papers resulted in the decision that the claim of neutral ownership of the cargo was totally unsustained by evidence, and the crew of the Olive Jane[13] were transferred to the Alabama, and the barque set on fire, whilst her captor again came round and ran down to meet his other prize.  On communicating with the prize-master in charge she proved to be the United States ship Golden Eagle, from Howland’s Island in the Pacific Ocean to Cork for orders.

[Footnote 13:  Of Boston, from Bordeaux to New York, with a partial cargo of French wines and “knickknackeries.”]

The following particulars relating to these two vessels, are given in Captain Semmes’ journal:—­

CASE OF THE OLIVE JANE.

Under United States colours and register—­from Bordeaux for New York—­cargo consigned generally to houses in New York, with the exception of five of the shipments which are consigned to order; but there is no claim among the papers of French property, even in these latter shipments, and non constat but that the property is American, and that the consignment on the face of the papers was made in this manner to give a semblance of French ownership, until the property should reach its destination, when the real owner would claim it under a duly-indorsed bill of lading, forwarded to him by steamer.  At all events, the presumption of law is, that all property found on board an enemy is enemy’s property, until the contrary be shown by proper evidence; and no evidence has been presented in this case at all.  The master, though quarter owner of the barque, and who, consequently, should be well informed as to her cargo, &c., knows nothing, except that one of the shippers—­a Frenchman—­told him that forty casks of wine, worth, perhaps, twenty dollars per cask, belonged to him.  Vessel and cargo condemned.

* * * * *

CASE OF THE GOLDEN EAGLE.

Ship under United States colours and register.  From San Francisco, via Howland’s Island, for Cork, laden with guano by the American Guano Company.  Cargo consigned to “orders.”  There is no question, therefore, of property.  Ship and cargo condemned.