When I had finished, they burst out laughing, and said that they had only been joking with me.

"Well," said I to the one who had called me up in the morning, "you may call it joking, but I call it lying." "Pray, Mr Bottlegreen, do you refer to me ?" "Yes, I do," replied I.
"Then, sir, as a gentleman, I demand satisfaction.

Slugs in a saw-pit.
Death before dishonour, d----e!" "I shall not refuse you," replied I, "although I had rather not fight a duel; my father cautioned me on the subject, desiring me, if possible, to avoid it, as it was flying in the face of my Creator; but aware that I must uphold my character as an officer, he left me to my own discretion, should I ever be so unfortunate as to be in such a dilemma." "Well, we don't want one of your father's sermons at second-hand," replied the midshipman, (for I had told them that my father was a clergyman); "the plain question is, will you fight, or will you not ?" "Could not the affair be arranged otherwise ?" interrupted another.

"Will not Mr Bottlegreen retract ?" "My name is Simple, sir, and not Bottlegreen," replied I; "and as he did tell a falsehood, I will not retract." "Then the affair must go on," said the midshipman.

"Robinson, will you oblige me by acting as my second ?" "It's an unpleasant business," replied the other; "you are so good a shot; but as you request it, I shall not refuse.