The vast, boundless azure sea rolled in wave after wave, crashing against the rocks with earth-shattering roars and spraying snow-white foam.
Russian Major General Popov stood on the deck in high spirits, listening to this stirring symphony. Over the past few days, he had led the Russian Navy in wiping out quite a few pirates, and his own purse had grown fuller as well.
The California government had been quite generous toward these "protectors." Not only did all the spoils go to them personally, but it also offered tempting bounties.
Fifty dollars for killing a pirate, five hundred for capturing one. Clearly, the California government feared that the Russians might kill innocent people and claim credit, so it adjusted the bounty amounts, using generous rewards to encourage the Russians to take prisoners alive.
United States Navy Colonel Magill said excitedly, "General, San Clemente Island lies ahead. Three days ago, a band of pirates suddenly occupied it, seriously threatening our maritime security. You must wipe out those bastards."
Magill's loathing for pirates was not without reason. The United States had only a limited number of warships on the West Coast, and they had gradually been worn away in the struggle against the pirates.
The navy's inability to defeat pirates had become a disgrace to the United States Navy, and an even greater disgrace in his military career. Yet the main force of the United States Navy was on the East Coast, and the federal government simply dared not split its forces.
The few shipyards on the West Coast had all failed to escape pirate attacks. Repairs were difficult enough now, let alone building new warships.
They had no choice but to pin their hopes on the Russians. Though the Russian fleet led by Popov was somewhat outdated, it was still stronger