fighting-ship in time of peace. As we stepped on the deck, the
seamen and marines, who were all armed as at drill, presented arms.
The Gospodar went first towards the Captain, and Captain Rooke and I
followed 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."