my complaint. I told him the agreement which his authorized agent had sworn to, and I added, "Sir, I can assure you that if I had had the least idea of being carried off as a prisoner, so far from surrendering, I would have resisted as long as I had had any breath left in my body. I trust, under these circumstances, you will see the justice of restoring me to liberty immediately."
He replied to me with much suavity and courtesy of manner, "I cannot tell you how much I am delighted to have you on board my vessel, a man of such undaunted courage, and whose name has made so much noise."
"You may, perhaps, sir," said I, "find to your cost, that my name is pretty well known in England and Ireland. I have received so many proofs of friendship from the Lords in Council, at the Irish seat of Government, that I feel certain, as soon as they become aware of my situation, and especially that my being a prisoner at all is contrary to the sworn terms of a treaty, they will send instructions to Kinsale to retaliate upon the French prisoners there, which may probably bring you into trouble."
"What is it you say? Do you dare to make use of threats to me?"
"No, no," said I, "I only give you fair warning of that which will most assuredly come to pass. This unjustifiable conduct will be the occasion of many an honest man suffering hardships, to which the mere circumstance of his being a captive would not subject him; probably friends of your own among the number, and nobody will give you any thanks for what you are doing."
"Never mind, let us drink a glass of wine together now, and discuss these matters in the morning."
