He is a prisoner, madam, of our sword and spear.

If you choose to ransom him, well and good; if not, peace be with him! for never more shall you see him." "And how do I know you won't come back to-morrow for more money ?" asked Mr.Hayes.
"Sir, you have my honour; and I'd as lieve break my neck as my word," said Mr.Macshane, gravely.

"Twenty guineas is the bargain.

Take ten minutes to talk of it--take it then, or leave it; it's all the same to me, my dear." And it must be said of our friend the Ensign, that he meant every word he said, and that he considered the embassy on which he had come as perfectly honourable and regular.
"And pray, what prevents us," said Mr.Hayes, starting up in a rage, "from taking hold of you, as a surety for him ?" "You wouldn't fire on a flag of truce, would ye, you dishonourable ould civilian ?" replied Mr.Macshane.

"Besides," says he, "there's more reasons to prevent you: the first is this," pointing to his sword; "here are two more"-- and these were pistols; "and the last and the best of all is, that you might hang me and dthraw me and quarther me, an yet never see so much as the tip of your son's nose again.