"Stars and Stripes," I cut in.  "Yes; I recognise it.  But I may as well tell you at once that I know this ship has no right to hoist those colours.  She is the _Preciosa_, a slaver hailing from Havana, and sailing under Spanish colours; consequently she is the lawful prize of his Britannic Majesty's ship _Eros_; and I am here to take possession of her."