Teuta was pleased; she
kissed me, and then stood holding my arm with one hand, whilst she linked
her other hand in the arm of her husband. He summoned one of the sentries without, and told him to ask Captain
Rooke to come to him. The latter had been ready for a call, and came at
once. When through the open flap of the tent we saw him coming,
Rupert--as I must call him now, because Teuta wishes it; and I like to do
it myself--said:

"I must be off to board the Turkish vessel before it comes inshore. Good-bye, sir, in case we do not meet again." He said the last few words
in so low a voice that I only could hear them. Then he kissed his wife,
and told her he expected to be back in time for breakfast, and was gone. He met Rooke--I am hardly accustomed to call him Captain as yet, though,
indeed, he well deserves it--at the edge of the cordon of sentries, and
they went quickly together towards the port, where the yacht was lying
with steam up. 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." GOSPODAR. "I alluded to your ship. What national flag is she under?" CAPTAIN (_throwing his eye over the top-hamper_). "I do not see that any
flag is flying." GOSPODAR. "I take it that, as commander, you can allow me on board with
my two companions?" CAPTAIN. "I can, upon proper request being made!" GOSPODAR (_taking off his cap_). "I ask your courtesy, Captain. I am
the representative and accredited officer of the National Council of the
Land of the Blue Mountains, in whose waters you now are; and on their
account I ask for a formal interview on urgent matters." The Turk, who was, I am bound to say, in manner most courteous as yet,
gave some command to his officers, whereupon the companion-ladders and
stage were lowered and the gangway manned, as is usual for the reception
on a ship of war of an honoured guest. CAPTAIN. "You are welcome, sir--you and your two companions--as you
request." The Gospodar bowed. Our companion-ladder was rigged on the instant, and
a launch lowered. The Gospodar and Captain Rooke--taking me with
them--entered, and rowed to the warship, where we were all honourably
received. There were an immense number of men on board, soldiers as well
as seamen. It looked more like a warlike expedition than a 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." 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." GOSPODAR (_slowly and in a ringing voice_). "The Land of the Blue
Mountains has its own defences on sea and land. Its people know how to
defend themselves." CAPTAIN (_taking out his watch_). "It is now close on five bells. At
the first stroke of six bells our guns shall open fire." GOSPODAR (_calmly_). "It is my last duty to warn you, sir--and to warn
all on this ship--that much may happen before even the first stroke of
six bells.