And he was no less bold than comical.

The _Adams_ was not supposed to be a match for the _Adler_; there was no glory to be gained in beating her; and yet I have heard naval officers maintain she might have proved a dangerous antagonist in narrow waters and at short range.

Doubtless Leary thought so.

He was continually daring Fritze to come on; and already, in a despatch of the 9th, I find Becker complaining of his language in the hearing of German officials, and how he had declared that, on the _Adler_ again interfering, he would interfere himself, "if he went to the bottom for it--_und wenn sein Schiff dabei zu Grunde ginge_." Here is the style of opposition which has the merit of being frank, not that of being agreeable.

Becker was annoying, Leary infuriating; there is no doubt that the tempers in the German consulate were highly ulcerated; and if war between the two countries did not follow, we must set down the praise to the forbearance of the German navy.