"I shan't."
"Monsieur, even this noble obstinacy extorts my veneration; but permit me to inquire: How can you help it?"
"Very simply, sir. Time is of no concern to me. I have plenty of victuals and ammunition down here; and if any man comes to take my sword I shall kill him."
"You cannot kill five or six hundred men."
"No; when I am bored, I shall fire the powder-magazine."
"Monsieur—"
There was no answer but the sound of a man blowing his nose violently and the ring of a ramrod as it was thrust home. It was absurd that one man should hold a ship against hundreds. Nevertheless, it was so, and the Commodore did not see his way out of it.
"Permit me, sir," said Captain Runacles, stepping forward, "to add my assurance, if such be needed, that Captain Barker is a man of his word."
The Commodore essayed gentler tactics.
"Listen, monsieur!" he called down.