I think it due to myself to make this clear, and you will credit
me that I have, or had, no other reason for demurring. It does
not become me, however, to argue with my superior in military
rank; and again, the tone of your last communication makes it
impossible for me to decline without bringing the spirit of my
Corps under suspicion. I cannot do them this injustice.
His Majesty, I dare to say, has no braver, no more gallant
subjects, than the inhabitants of East and West Looe; and if, or
when, you choose to invade us you may count on a determined
resistance and, at its conclusion, on a hearty invitation to
supper, or breakfast, as the length of the operations may
dictate.--I am, yours truly,"
"Aen. Pond (_Capt_. E. and W.L.V.A.)."
"P.S.--If you will accept a suggestion, it is that on the night
of the 30th of April, or in the early hours of May morning,
large numbers of our inhabitants fare out to the neighbouring
farmhouses to eat cream and observe other unwholesome but
primitive and interesting ceremonies before day-break.
A similar custom, I hear, prevails at Troy. Now it occurs to me
that if we agreed upon that date for our surprise attack, we
should, so to speak, be killing two birds with one stone, and at
a season when the night air in some degree loses its
insalubrity.
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