Page:At the Fall of Port Arthur.djvu/126

108 "If I am going too far, I am able to take the consequences," returned the Russian, who was acting strictly under orders.

"Very well, sir; you can look the cargo over," answered Captain Ponsberry. "But I shall hold Russia accountable for the outrage."

The Russian naval officer bowed and hastened up to the deck. He spoke in his native tongue to one of the jackies who carried several small flags under his arm. At once the Jackie began to wig-wag to the warship for further instructions.

"Search the ship," came back the order, and in a few minutes more another small boat left the side of the Pocastra, containing an officer and a crew of eight.

"We are in for it now, that is certain," observed Larry. "They are not going to let us go until they are sure we are O. K."

The second boat was soon alongside of the schooner, and the officer in charge and four men came up on the deck and joined the other Russians already there. An earnest conversation was held between the two officers.

"We'll take a general look at the cargo," said the one who had just arrived. "It will not do to go too far—in case we find everything as it should be. We want no trouble with the Yankee government."