sloop, at a distance of about one hundred yards.

“Now, we want you men to stop,” called Midshipman Terrell, between his
hands. “We are United States naval forces, from the gunboat, and you will
regard this as an order that you must obey. No!” thundered the midshipman,
suddenly, as the bearded one started to step down into the cabin. “You
will both keep on deck. Otherwise we shall be obliged to fire into you. We
mean business, remember!”

“What do you want to board us for?” demanded Curtis, pausing.

“We will explain when we come aboard.”

“How are you coming, aboard? You’ve no small boat.”

“We can land this submarine right up beside you,” responded the
midshipman, “if you keep straight to your present course.”

“And scrape all the paint off our side,” objected Curtis.

“That has no bearing on my instructions, sir. I direct you to keep
straight to your present course. We will come up alongside.”

“What if we don’t do it?” demanded Curtis, with sudden bluster.

“Then your danger will be divided between being shot where you stand and
having your craft cut in two by the bow of our craft,” retorted Mr.
Terrell. “You will realize, I think, that there can be no parleying with
our orders.”