Book VII - Page 2

close behind him. The Gospodar spoke:

"I am Rupert Sent Leger, a subject of his Britannic Majesty,
presently residing at Vissarion, in the Land of the Blue Mountains.
I am at present empowered to act for the National Council in all
matters. Here is my credential!" As he spoke he handed to the
Captain a letter. It was written in five different languages--
Balkan, Turkish, Greek, English, and French. The Captain read it
carefully all through, forgetful for the moment that he had seemingly
been unable to understand the Gospodar's question spoken in the
Turkish tongue. Then he answered:

"I see the document is complete. May I ask on what subject you wish
to see me?"

GOSPODAR. "You are here in a ship of war in Blue Mountain waters,
yet you fly no flag of any nation. You have sent armed men ashore in
your boats, thus committing an act of war. The National Council of
the Land of the Blue Mountains requires to know what nation you
serve, and why the obligations of international law are thus broken."

The Captain seemed to wait for further speech, but the Gospodar
remained silent; whereupon the former spoke.

CAPTAIN. "I am responsible to my own--chiefs. I refuse to answer
your question."

The Gospodar spoke at once in reply.

GOSPODAR. "Then, sir, you, as commander of a ship--and especially a
ship of war--must know that in thus violating national and maritime
laws you, and all on board this ship, are guilty of an act of piracy.
This is not even piracy on the high seas. You are not merely within
territorial waters, but you have invaded a national port. As you
refuse to disclose the nationality of your ship, I accept, as you
seem to do, your status as that of a pirate, and shall in due season
act accordingly."

CAPTAIN (with manifest hostility). "I accept the responsibility of
my own acts. Without admitting your contention, I tell you now that
whatever action you take shall be at your own peril and that of your
National Council. Moreover, I have reason to believe that my men who
were sent ashore on special service have been beleaguered in a tower
which can be seen from the ship. Before dawn this morning firing was
heard from that direction, from which I gather that attack was made
on them. They, being only a small party, may have been murdered. If
such be so, I tell you that you and your miserable little nation, as
you call it, shall pay such blood-money as you never thought of. I
am responsible for this, and, by Allah! there shall be a great
revenge. You have not in all your navy--if navy you have at all--
power to cope with even one ship like this, which is but one of many.
My guns shall be trained on Ilsin, to