The Caledonia could not possibly get past the French in the direction of Malta, for the destroyer was much faster and capable of making, at full speed, twenty-seven knots an hour. The captain had no choice; he accordingly turned round, and began to make for Alexandria again.
While the great vessel was wheeling round, those on board perceived that the French had seen her and had started in pursuit.
Meanwhile the Forbin had approached considerably nearer and was attempting to cut off the Caledonia. The captain accordingly gave orders to steer further south.
Heideck, standing with Edith on the promenade-deck, followed the movements of the vessels.
“What would happen to us if the French overtook us?” asked Edith. “Surely they would not fire on an unarmed ship?”
“Certainly not. But they would call upon us to discontinue our journey, and then they would take the Caledonia to the nearest French port.”
“Is that the rule of naval warfare? Is the general law of nations so defective that a passenger steamer can be captured? The Caledonia is not a combatant. She is taking home wounded men and harmless passengers.”
“Our captain doesn’t seem to have much confidence in the laws of naval warfare or nations in this case,” said Heideck. “In fact, nothing is more uncertain than these definitions. Strictly speaking, there is no such thing as international law; the stronger does what he likes with the weaker, and the only check on the arbitrariness of the victor is the fear of public opinion. But this fear does not weigh much with him who has might on his side, especially as he knows that public opinion can be bribed.”
“Then,” said Edith, with a pitiful smile, “international law is very like the law which is generally practised amongst human beings on land.”
“Besides, the French would not make a bad catch if they brought in the Caledonia,” continued Heideck. “Of the eight hundred passengers about three hundred belong to the army, and I have heard that there are large sums of money on board.”