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 which end I have come inshore.
You and your companions have free conduct back to port; such is due
to the white flag which you fly. Fifteen minutes will bring you back
whence you came. Go! And remember that whatever you may do amongst
your mountain defiles, at sea you cannot even defend yourselves."