Великий военный синдикат

           Itwasallowedtocomealongside;butwhentheBritishcaptainfoundthattheSyndicatemerelyreneweditsdemandforhissurrender,hewaxedfiercelyangry,andsenttheboatbackwiththewordthatnofurthermessageneedbesenttohimunlessitshouldbeonecomplyingwiththeconditionshehadoffered.TheSyndicatenowgaveupthetaskofinducingthecaptainoftheAdamanttosurrender.CrabCwascommandedtocontinuetowingthegreatshipsouthward,andtokeepherwellawayfromthecoast,inordertoavoiddangertoseaporttownsandcoastingvessels,whiletherepellersteamedaway.WeekafterweektheAdamantmovedsouthward,roaringawaywithhergreatgunswheneveranAmericansailcamewithinpossiblerange,andsurroundingherselfwithacircleofburstingbombstoletanycrabknowwhatitmightexpectifitattemptedtocomenear.Blazingandthundering,sternforemost,butstoutly,sherodethewaves,readytoshowtheworldthatshewasanimpregnableBritishbattle-ship,fromwhichnoenemycouldsnatchtheroyalcolourswhichfloatedhighaboveher.ItwasduringthefirstweekoftheinvoluntarycruiseoftheAdamantthattheSyndicatefinisheditspreparationsforwhatithopedwouldbethedecisivemovementofitscampaign.Todothisarepellerandsixcrabs,allwithextraordinarypowers,hadbeenfittedoutwithgreatcare,andalsowithgreatrapidity,fortheBritishGovernmentwasworkingnightanddaytogetitsfleetofironcladsinreadinessforadescentupontheAmericancoast.