Anyone under that grade would receive but little courtesy from the Spaniards." "They are a mighty haughty lot," Mike grumbled.

"I believe they think that, when the flood came, the Spanish grandees had an ark all to themselves, as they could not be expected to put up with a conveyance full of animals." Desmond laughed.
"They haven't yet taken in the fact that Spain is no longer the great power she was when she was mistress of half of Europe.

They were fine fighters then, Mike.

For my part, I own that I cannot understand how it is they have fallen off in that respect; for certainly, without our troops, they would make but a poor stand against the Portuguese, backed up by the English and Dutch." "I have not seen them fighting yet, sir, but to my mind people so fond of using their knives are not likely to be of much account, when it comes to manly, straightforward fighting.
"Well, your honour, if you are to go as a major, you will need some slight alterations in your uniform--more gold lace, and such like.

So I had best see about it, at once." "I did not think of that, Mike; but you are right.