"Well, sir," began the Yankee, "I guess your demand is beyond your treaty powers."
"I know all about that. I must have the hatches off."
"And you are detaining me and overhauling my cargo on no grounds whatever—"
"Will you do it at once?" broke in the British officer.
"I repeat—ON NO GROUNDS WHATEVER; will cause an in—ter—na—tional difficulty, and may bring re—markably unpleasant con—sequences to your captain. Now—"
"Off with your hatches!" cried the lieutenant.
"Sir!"
"If you don't, by George, I will!"
"You know clearly what you're doing, sir?"
"I do."