“That flag was there when I came aboard and took command,” which was true. Then, seeing that he thought I was trying to evade the question, I added: “I am flying it for protection from a pirate fleet, just as others are displaying it in Rio Bay and in the city. Your commanding officer has sanctioned that custom by his silence. I am an officer of the established Brazilian Government, obeying the orders of my superiors in Brazilian waters, and I claim the right to take advantage of that custom, if I care to do so, just as others have done and are doing.” “I think the other cases are different from yours,” replied the lieutenant. “What is that?” pointing to the dynamite. “Examine it for yourself.” “It looks like dynamite.” “Probably.” “Well, sir, I am ordered by Captain Lang to take you on board Her Majesty’s ship ‘Sirius.’” It was of no use to make a fight so I accompanied him, with excessive and sarcastic politeness. He took all of my crew with him, leaving a guard on the tug. Captain Lang was on deck waiting for me and was quite agitated when I was brought before him, but he was much more heated before we parted company, and it was a warm day to begin with. “Captain Boynton, what does this mean?” he roared at me. “What does what mean?” I innocently inquired. “Your lying over there in a vessel loaded with munitions of war and flying the British flag?” “It means simply that I am an officer in the Brazilian Army, on duty under the guns of a rebel fleet, and that I am flying the British flag for whatever virtue it might have in protecting me from that pirate, Admiral Mello. That flag has been used as a protection by many others and you have silently acquiesced in such use of it.” “But, sir, are you not aware that this is piracy?” “I am not aware, sir, that it is any such thing.” “But I tell you that it is piracy to fly the British flag over the ship of another nation and carrying munitions of war.” “It might be just as well, Captain Lang, for you to remember that you are not now on the high seas. An act of the British Parliament is of no effect within another country, and if you will consult your chart you will find that we are in the enclosed waters of Brazil. Under such conditions no mandate of yours which affects my rights can be enforced, unless you have the nerve to take the chances that go with your act.” “You may soon find to the contrary,” shouted the captain, who was letting his temper get the best of him. “I have a mind to send you to Admiral Mello as a prisoner. You know what he would do to you.” “Oh, Captain Lang,” I said jeeringly, “you know you wouldn’t do that.” “And pray why not, sir?”