“There!” said Archie, turning to the officer; “I hope you are satisfied now that that flag was put there to stay.”
“Captain,” said the midshipman, trying to speak calmly, although it was plain to be seen that he was very angry, “I ordered those colors hauled down.”
“There is not a man in my crew who will obey an order of that kind,” replied Frank.
“But I am in command now, and I don’t sail under that flag.”
“All right, sir. Haul it down yourself, if you wish to take the responsibility.”
The young officer knew better than to do that. He bit his lips and looked towards his superior, who seemed to be utterly confounded by the turn affairs were taking. “I call this a very extraordinary proceeding, captain,” said he, at length.
“Not at all, sir,” replied Frank. “If you regard our vessel as a prize and ourselves as prisoners, you have the power to act accordingly; but it will be useless to ask us to smooth the way for you.”
“No, no!” exclaimed the lieutenant, quickly; “you don’t understand the matter at all. We expected to find the convicts in charge of your yacht, and to have a fight with them before we could recover possession of her.”
“Your expectations were not realized,” said Frank. “We saved you all trouble.”
“Perhaps I had better return and ask further instructions from my captain,” continued the officer, after thinking a moment. “Mr. Kendall, you will remain in charge until you receive other orders.”