Великий военный синдикат

           Itwastobesupposedthatthedisabledshipwasproperlyfurnishedwithbulk-heads,sothatthewaterwouldpenetratenofartherthanthesterncompartment,andthat,therefore,shewasinnodangerofsinking.CrabAwasorderedtomakefasttothebowoftheScarabaeus,andtowhertowardtwomen-of-warwhowererapidlyapproachingfromtheharbour.ThisproceedingastonishedthecommanderandofficersoftheScarabaeusalmostasmuchastheextraordinaryattackwhichhadbeenmadeupontheirship.Theyhadexpectedademandtosurrenderandhauldowntheirflag;buttheDirector-in-chiefonboardRepellerNo.1wasoftheopinionthatwithherpropellerextracteditmatteredlittlewhatflagsheflew.HisworkwiththeScarabaeuswasover;forithadbeenorderedbytheSyndicatethatitsvesselsshouldnotencumberthemselveswithprizes.Towedbythepowerfulcrab,whichapparentlyhadnofearthatitsdisabledadversarymightfireuponit,theScarabaeusmovedtowardtheharbour,andwhenithadcomewithinaquarterofamileoftheforemostBritishvessel,CrabAcastoffandsteamedbacktoRepellerNo.1.TheotherEnglishvesselssooncameup,andeachlaytoandsentaboattotheScarabaeus.Afterhalfanhour’sconsultation,inwhichtheamazementofthoseonboardthedamagedvesselwascommunicatedtotheofficersandcrewsofhertwoconsorts,itwasdeterminedthatthesmalleroftheseshouldtowthedisabledshipintoport,whiletheotherone,incompanywithaman-of-warjustcomingoutoftheharbour,shouldmakeanattackuponRepellerNo.1.