Page:Ballantyne--The Pirate City.djvu/313

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THE PIRATE CITY.
291

breasts of the pirate king and his piratical courtiers.

When Rais Ali had tremblingly translated the demand which had been made with stern dignity by his master, the Dey flew into a towering rage, and actually foamed at the mouth, as he replied—

"Why art thou not glad that I thus punish your old enemy? Was not England lately at war with Denmark?"

"I am not glad," answered the British consul, "because it is against the spirit of Christianity to cultivate feelings of revenge, and the fact that we were not long since at war with Denmark is no doubt the very reason why the Danes have found it difficult to pay, at the exact time, the debt which they will unquestionably discharge before long; but if your highness continues to act thus to their representative, in despite of his inviolable character, and in defiance of treaties wherein it is specified that the persons and families of consuls are to be held sacred, you may rest assured that no civilized nation will continue to treat with you."

"What care the Deys of Algiers for the persons of consuls, which you deem so sacred?" said Omar savagely. "Hast thou not heard that in time past we have blown the consuls of refractory nations from the mouths of our cannon?"

"I have," replied the Colonel calmly, "and I have