ustrian ship and had an interview with the
prisoner, who told him his story, and said that he had taken the first
step to become a citizen of the United States. He begged the captain to
protect him.

Captain Ingraham was satisfied that Koszta had a just claim to the
protection of the American flag, and asked the Austrians to release him.
They refused to do so, and he then wrote to Mr. Brown, the American
consul at Constantinople and asked him what he should do.

Before he could get an answer a squadron of Austrian warships, six in
number, came gliding into the harbor, and dropped anchor near the
_Huszar_. It looked worse than ever now for poor Koszta, for what could
the little _St. Louis_ do against seven big ships? But Captain Ingraham
did not let that trouble him. In his mind right was stronger than might,
and he was ready to fight ten to one for the honor of his flag.

While he was waiting for an answer from Consul Brown he saw that the
_Huszar_ was getting ready to leave the harbor. Her anchor was drawn up
and her sails were set. Ingraham made up his mind that if the _Huszar_
left, it would have to be over the wreck of the _St. Louis_. He spread
his sails in a hurry and drove his sloop-of-war right in the track of
the Austrian ship. Then he gave orders to his men to make ready for a
fight.

When Archduke John saw the gun-ports of the _St. Louis_ open he brought
his ship to a standstill and Captain Ingraham went on board.

"What do you intend to do?" he asked.

"To sail for home," said the Austrian. "Our consul orders us to take our
prisoner to Austria."

"You must pardon me," said Captain Ingraham, "but if you try to leave
this port with that American I shall be compelled to resort to extreme
measures."

That was a polite way of saying that Koszta should not be taken away if
he could prevent it.

The Austrian looked at the six ships of his nation that lay near him.
Then he looked at the one American ship. Then a pleasant smile came on
his face.

"I fear I shall have to go on, whether it is to your liking or not," he
said, in a very polite tone.

Captain Ingraham made no answer. He bowed to the Archduke and then
descended into his boat and returned to the _St. Louis_.

"Clear the ship for action!" he ordered. The tars sprang to their
stations, the ports were opened, and the guns thrust out. There was many
a grim face behind them.

The Archduke stared when he saw these black-mouthed guns. He was in th