As we drew rein on the quay we saw, half a mile out to sea and sailing before a stiff breeze, Johnny Carr's little yacht, with the Aureataland flag floating defiantly at her masthead.
We gazed at it blankly, with never a word to say, and turned our horses' heads.

Our attention was attracted by a small group of men standing round the storm-signal post.

As we rode up, they hastily scattered, and we saw pinned to the post a sheet of note-paper.
Thereupon was written in a well-known hand: "I, Marcus W.Whittingham, President of the Republic of Aureataland, hereby offer a REWARD of FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS and a FREE PARDON to any person or persons assisting in the CAPTURE, ALIVE or DEAD, of GEORGE MCGREGOR (late Colonel in the Aureataland Army) and JOHN MARTIN, Bank Manager, and I do further proclaim the said George McGregor and John Martin to be traitors and rebels against the Republic, and do pronounce their lives forfeited.

Which sentence let every loyal citizen observe at his peril.
"MARCUS W.WHITTINGHAM, "President." Truly, this was pleasant!.