“Aim at the “Guanabara,” ordered Captain Brownson, and at the word the “Detroit’s” four broadside and two pivot rifles swung around from the “Trajano” as though moved by one man and pointed their muzzles at the old insurgent cruiser. Then turning to the insurgent crew, Captain Brownson told them to be right careful what they did, for even an accidental shot would be considered as intentional. He finished his warning by waving his hand at a gun’s crew that showed exceptional nervousness and told them they had better get away from the gun entirely. The crew of the “Guanabara” were Brazilians to a man, and they did not understand English. But they were looking at short taw into the muzzles of guns that were eloquent in appearance, if silent, and when Brownson’s hand was waved they didn’t stop to argue or even shrug their shoulders; they went away. The “Detroit” steamed on until clear of the “Guanabara” and then turned square across her stern and stopped. She now had the two insurgent ships that threatened the “Amy” where she could rake them fore and aft and sink them in five minutes. The “Liberdade” with three small rifles was near by, and the tugs had their noses well pointed, but should the insurgent Admiral still wish to fight, the “Detroit” would not need any help. The other members of the white squadron could look after the monitor “Aquidaban” and the armed merchant ships. Although Admiral Gama did not want to fight, he was like a boy who was sulky enough to need a whipping. Seeing the sailors of the “Amy” carrying out the wharf line he ordered a blank shot from a cannon fired at them from the “Guanabara.” As this was plainly only a matter of form, Captain Brownson replied with a musket. A member of the crew fired a bullet into the “Guanabara’s” stern. Then a launch was lowered and a junior officer sent to Admiral Gama to say that while there was no wish to take active steps, the American merchant ships would be protected in going to the piers, that any shots fired at them would be returned, and that if shooting were persisted in the insurgent ships would be sunk. In reply Gama sent word that if he was fired on by the American ship he would instantly surrender the whole fleet to the American Admiral. On hearing this Captain Brownson sent the cadet back to say that the “Guanabara” had been fired on and hit. The haste with which the cadet was sent on this mission makes the American colony here think that the Yankee naval sailors were to a man willing to have Gama surrender, that they might get away from the yellow fever port. But, as was cabled to _The Sun_, Gama did not surrender. He would have been glad to do so, but his enthusiastic youngsters and his British backers would not let him.