"Well, it might have been worse.

We can go to America; there are surgeons there as well as in Europe--at all events, we can get a ship there for England.
But let me see, we must hoist a bit of bunting; unfortunately, we have only British colors aboard, and I am afraid they are not in particularly high favor with our Yankee cousins just now." "Never mind a flag," said Fritz.
"Oh, that will never do, they have hoisted a flag and are waiting a reply.

But let me see," added Willis, rummaging amongst some stores, "here is one of our Shark's Island signals--that, I think, will puzzle the Yankee considerably." The Pilot's signal was answered by a gun, the report of which rang through the air.

The strange ship's sails were thrown back and she stood still.

A boat then put off with a young man in uniform and six rowers on board.
"Pinnace ahoy!" cried the officer through a speaking trumpet, "who are you ?" "Shipwrecked mariners," cried Fritz, in reply.
"What is the name of your craft ?" "The _Mary_." "What country ?" "Switzerland." "I was not aware that Switzerland was a naval power," observed Willis.
"She has no sea-port," said Jack, "but she has a fleet--of row boats." "Where do you hail from ?" inquired the officer.
"New Switzerland." "That gentleman is very curious," observed Jack.
Here a silence of some minutes ensued; the officer seemed at fault in his geography.
"Where away ?" at last resounded from the trumpet.
"Bound for Europe," replied Fritz.
This reply elicited an expression of doubt, accompanied with such a tremendous exjurgation as made both Fritz and Jack almost shrink into the hold.
A few minutes after the Yankee in command stepped on board, and explanations were entered into that perfectly satisfied the republican officer.