‘According to maritime law,’ he shouted back, ‘the deck of a warship constitutes part of the country whose flag she flies. This means that you cannot exert any authority over this ship and you have no right to search her. However, as a gesture of goodwill, I will have my own master-at-arms search the ship to see if any men such as you describe have hidden themselves on board.’

The search was carried out and returned a negative response. The exchange gave Gus cause for thought. He was aware that some familiar faces had not been seen for some days, many of them belonging to prisoners who had been forced to sign on. And he had also seen a number of strangers around the ship, though he had heard Captain Waddell tell at least one of them that he could not take him on as crew without breaking the law. When he mentioned it to Mr Croft, next time he went ashore, he was not surprised.

‘There’s plenty of men around who came out here looking for gold and didn’t strike it lucky. Now there’s no work for them. I dare say a lot of them would be glad to get taken on for a sailor’s wages and the chance of prize money.’

Back on board Gus sought the opinion of Boney. ‘Is it true that some men have deserted?’

‘Seems like it. Rumour has it that they are being put up in hotels at the expense of the American consul, and paid their wages by him too.’

‘Why would he do that?’

‘Anything to make life difficult for us. I guess he’s pretty angry that we’ve been allowed to stay here.’

‘And are we taking on other men? I’ve seen some new faces.’

Boney gave him a look. ‘Know what, boy? You ask too many questions.’

The next day those on board were stunned to see a large force of police, backed by soldiers, taking up positions on both sides of the dock. When the workmen arrived to complete the repairs, they were turned away. No shore leave was possible and for a day and a night there was stalemate. Waddell steadfastly refused to let them come aboard and no more work was done. Gus, along with the rest of the crew, sat around, frustrated and bored, while the officers paced the deck in impotent fury.