d calmly to the
quarter-deck, and, singling out the captain (Maude, I believe, was his
name), said, "How do you do, sir? I am happy to see my country's flag
again in these seas; but what the hell do you mean, sir, by putting an
armed crew on my deck? By God, sir, if you don't give me good reasons
I'll make you repent it." The corvette captain stood quite unmoved,
although there was a suppressed titter heard amongst his officers.

"I pardon you your offensive language, Captain Hayes, as I daresay you
feel excited. If you will come below I will show you good authority for
my action. I have orders to arrest you and investigate serious charges
against you. I trust, however, that you will be able to clear yourself."

The quiet, gentlemanly manner of the naval officer acted like a charm
upon Hayes. The fierce glitter in his bright blue eyes died out, and
bowing to the corvette captain he turned to the group of officers, and
in a bluff sincere manner, said: "Gentlemen, I apologise to your captain
and to you for my insulting manner. I see that I have acted in an
unbecoming way; but I am a hasty man, yet quick to make amends when I am
in the wrong."

The officers returned his salute, and then Bully went below and listened
with an unmoved face to the warrant for his arrest. He was allowed to
write a letter to the shore, and given the liberty of the ship whilst
the captain of the _Narrangesett_ was preparing for the trial. A
notification was sent to the three Consuls of his seizure, and asking
them to attend and verify the charges made to them by various persons
against Hayes. None but the German Consul responded, and his witnesses
(traders whose stations had been cleaned out by Hayes) utterly broke
down. One look at those steady, steel-blue eyes was enough for them.
They knew what was in store for them if any of them ever crossed Bully's
path again, and slunk away to their German protectors. After two hours'
investigation, the captain broke up the court, and formally told those
present that he would announce his decision in writing.

Two hours afterwards the commander of the _Narrangansett_ wrote a brief
note to the Consuls, stating that he would not--from the unreliable
and contradictory evidence--be justified in taking Hayes to the United
States, and added some severe remarks about the skulking and terrified
manner of the witnesses.

Then Hayes was told he was a free man, and straightway the prisoner
became the guest, and