Page:The Catalpa Expedition (1897).djvu/191

Rh Captain Anthony knew this was impossible and made no reply.

"Are you going to heave to? " asked the colonel.

"No, sir," replied Captain Anthony firmly. The Georgette was on the lee of the Catalpa. The wind was freshening and the Georgette was steaming to keep up.

"Don't you know you have violated the colonial laws?" asked Colonel Harvest.

"No, sir," answered Captain Anthony; at which the colonel seemed greatly enraged.

"I'll give you fifteen minutes in which to heave to," said he, "and I'll blow your masts out unless you do so. I have the means to do it."

He pointed to the gun, which the soldiers were swabbing, preparatory to reloading.

"This ship is sailing under the American flag and she is on the high seas. If you fire on me, I warn you that you are firing on the American flag." This was Captain Anthony's reply.

The vessels were now about eighteen miles offshore. On the tack upon which she was sailing the Catalpa was running inshore. Captain Anthony feared it was the trick to decoy him into Australian waters, and decided to go about on the other tack. He consulted with Mr. Smith whether it was advisable to tack or wear ship, his fear of the former course being that the vessel might get "in irons" and lose her headway, and in the confusion the Georgette might shoot alongside.

So it was decided to wear. When the Catalpa's