BOOK VII: THE EMPIRE OF THE AIR



FROM THE REPORT OF CRISTOFEROS, WAR-SCRIBE TO THE NATIONAL COUNCIL.
July 7, 1907.

When the Gospodar Rupert and Captain Rooke came within hailing
distance of the strange ship, the former hailed her, using one after
another the languages of England, Germany, France, Russia, Turkey,
Greece, Spain, Portugal, and another which I did not know; I think it
must have been American. By this time the whole line of the bulwark
was covered by a row of Turkish faces. When, in Turkish, the
Gospodar asked for the Captain, the latter came to the gangway, which
had been opened, and stood there. His uniform was that of the
Turkish navy--of that I am prepared to swear--but he made signs of
not understanding what had been said; whereupon the Gospodar spoke
again, but in French this time. I append the exact conversation
which took place, none other joining in it. I took down in shorthand
the words of both as they were spoken:

THE GOSPODAR. "Are you the Captain of this ship?"

THE CAPTAIN. "I am."

GOSPODAR. "To what nationality do you belong?"

CAPTAIN. "It matters not. I am Captain of this ship."