"Well, sir," began the Yankee, "I guess your demand is beyond your
treaty powers."
"I know all about that. I must have the hatches off."
"And you are detaining me and overhauling my cargo on no grounds
whatever--"
"Will you do it at once?" broke in the British officer.
"I repeat--ON NO GROUNDS WHATEVER; will cause an in--ter--na--tional
difficulty, and may bring re--markably unpleasant con--sequences
to your captain. Now--"
"Off with your hatches!" cried the lieutenant.
"Sir!"
"If you don't, by George, I will!"
"You know clearly what you're doing, sir?"
"I do."
"And you know the risk you run?"
"I do. No more palaver. Off with them at once, or I'll break them
open."
Further resistance was useless. The thing was done; and the moment
the first hatch was raised the sickening effluvium that issued from
the hold proclaimed the truth. Nearly three hundred slaves were
packed between-decks, many of the poor creatures standing so close
that they could not lie down.
With a look of speechless contempt at the young mate of the
schooner, the lieutenant walked to the side of the ship and waved
his handkerchief.
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