"If you only had your uniform, sir," said Bradley, Sr., miserably.
"This is a little bit too serious for uniforms and bicycle medals," said Gordon. "And these men are used to gold lace."
He pushed his way through the natives, and stepped confidently across the plaza. The youngest middy saw him coming, and nudged the one next him with his elbow, and he nudged the next, but none of the officers moved, because the captain had begun to read.
"One minute, please," called Gordon.
He stepped out into the hollow square formed by the marines, and raised his helmet to the captain.
"Do you speak English or French?" Gordon said in French; "I do not understand German."
The captain lowered the book in his hands and gazed reflectively at Gordon through his spectacles, and made no reply.
"If I understand this," said the younger man, trying to be very impressive and polite, "you are laying claim to this land, in behalf of the German government."
The captain continued to observe him thoughtfully, and then said, "That iss so," and then asked, "Who are you?"
"I represent the King of this island, Ollypybus, whose people you see around you. I also represent the United States government that does not tolerate a foreign power near her coast, since the days of President Monroe and before. The treaty you have made with Messenwah is an absurdity. There is only one king with whom to treat, and he—"