"No! I will die rather than print so seditious a paper!"
"Very well, then, you shall die," said Schill. "You refuse to print, and I will assuredly shoot you."
"M. Hormuth, you may as well yield," said the compositors.
"It is prudent to submit to necessity. Besides, we are somewhat interested, for your death would throw us out of work."
"I will yield," said M. Hormuth, sighing. "Take away your pistol, major. I will print your proclamation; but be so good as to certify that I consent only on account of your threats and violence. My workmen will sign the certificate as witnesses, will you not?"
"Yes, certainly, we will cheerfully witness what is true."
"Very well," said M. Hormuth. "Now quick, boys; go to work! Here is the manuscript. Let four compositors take it. Divide the copy into four parts; the composition must be done in fifteen minutes, and the printing in two hours. How many copies do you want, major?"
"Ten thousand."
"Very well, ten thousand copies to be done in two hours. We must remember my life is at stake; for I suppose you will shoot me, major, if we should disappoint you?"
"You may be sure of that. Now give me the pen and ink that I may draw up that certificate for you."