"Sir," returns the officer, "I trust not."

"That is not enough, sir," cries Commissioner Pordage, getting wroth.
"Captain Carton, I give you notice. Government requires you to treat the
enemy with great delicacy, consideration, clemency, and forbearance."

"Sir," says Captain Carton, "I am an English officer, commanding English
Men, and I hope I am not likely to disappoint the Government's just
expectations. But, I presume you know that these villains under their
black flag have despoiled our countrymen of their property, burnt their
homes, barbarously murdered them and their little children, and worse
than murdered their wives and daughters?"

"Perhaps I do, Captain Carton," answers Pordage, waving his hand, with
dignity; "perhaps I do not. It is not customary, sir, for Government to
commit itself."

"It matters very little, Mr. Pordage, whether or no. Believing that I
hold my commission by the allowance of God, and not that I have received
it direct from the Devil, I shall certainly use it, with all avoidance of
unnecessary suffering and with all merciful swiftness of execution, to
exterminate these people from the face of the earth. Let me recommend
you to go home, sir, and to keep out of the night-air."

Never another syllable did that officer say to the Commissioner, but
turned away to his men. The Commissioner buttoned his Diplomatic coat to
the chin, said, "Mr. Kitten, attend me!" gasped, half choked himself, and
took himself off.