rd had been satisfactorily executed, it must now
retire, and allow the United States Government to attend to its foreign
relations.

But the Syndicate was firm. It had contracted to bring the war to a
satisfactory conclusion. When it considered that this had been done,
it would retire and allow the American Government, with whom the
contract had been made, to decide whether or not it had been properly
performed.

The unmistakable path of national policy which had shown itself to the
wisest British statesmen appeared broader and plainer when the
overtures of the American War Syndicate had been received by the
British Government. The Ministry now perceived that the Syndicate had
not waged war; it had been simply exhibiting the uselessness of war as
at present waged. Who now could deny that it would be folly to oppose
the resources of ordinary warfare to those of what might be called
prohibitive warfare.

Another idea arose in the minds of the wisest British statesmen. If
prohibitive warfare were a good thing for America, it would be an
equally good thing for England. More than that, it would be a better
thing if only these two countries possessed the power of waging
prohibitive warfare.

In three days a convention of peace was concluded between Great Britain
and the American Syndicate acting for the United States, its provisions
being made subject to such future treaties and alliances as the
governments of the two nations might make with each other. In six days
after the affair at Caerdaff, a committee of the American War Syndicate
was in London, making arrangements, under the favourable auspices of
the British Government, for the formation of an Anglo-American
Syndicate of War.

The Atlantic Ocean now sprang into new life. It seemed impossible to
imagine whence had come the multitude of vessels which now steamed and
sailed upon its surface. Among these, going westward, were six crabs,
and the spring-armoured vessel, once the Tallapoosa, going home to a
triumphant reception, such as had never before been accorded to any
vessel, whether of war or peace.

The blockade of the Canadian port, which had been effectively
maintained without incident, was now raised, and the Syndicate's
vessels proceeded to an American port.

The British ironclad, Adamant, at the conclusion of peace was still in
tow of Crab C, and off the coast of Florida. A vessel was sent down
the coast by the Syndicate to notify Crab C of wh