I have plenty of victuals and ammunition down here; and if any man comes to take my sword I shall kill him." "You cannot kill five or six hundred men." "No; when I am bored, I shall fire the powder-magazine." "Monsieur--" There was no answer but the sound of a man blowing his nose violently and the ring of a ramrod as it was thrust home.

It was absurd that one man should hold a ship against hundreds.

Nevertheless, it was so, and the Commodore did not see his way out of it.
"Permit me, sir," said Captain Runacles, stepping forward, "to add my assurance, if such be needed, that Captain Barker is a man of his word." The Commodore essayed gentler tactics.
"Listen, monsieur!" he called down.
"Go away!" "I have the pleasure to announce to you that you shall meet only with such treatment as your bravery deserves.

Dismiss all apprehension of imprisonment--" At this point he skipped backwards with such violence as to knock a couple of sailors sprawling.

A bullet had embedded itself in the timbers at his feet.
He determined to use summary measures, and ordered twelve grenadiers, with fixed bayonets, to advance to the cabin door, break it open, and overpower the Englishman.
The twelve men advanced as they were bidden.