“We had suffered enough already in consequence of this punctiliousness of the home Government about the right of search.
“Up spoke little Bradford, of Southampton—
“‘I was in the maintop at the time, sir, and my eyesight is very good indeed. I could almost swear it was British colours she showed.’
“Several others of us made similar remarks in a jocular kind of way; but the captain interrupted us.
“‘This is no joking matter, gentlemen. If we seize that schooner while she is under a foreign flag, we deliberately violate the law of nations, and without doubt run the risk of a national dispute. Yet I intend to seize her—on one condition.’
“Here he paused, and looked around the circle of eager faces.
“‘Please name it, sir,’ said the first lieutenant, seriously.
“‘That each of you pledge me his honour that he will everywhere and under all circumstances, unless under oath, insist upon it that she showed the British flag last night.’
“Every man of us immediately declared his willingness to promise this.
“‘Mr. Hazleton,’ said the captain to me, ‘will you ask Mr. Bright to step to the companion-way?’