But I shall remain perfectly neutral during the engagement." "As you like then, Pilot, as you like," said the captain, as he resumed his place on the quarter-deck.
At this moment a cannon ball whistled through the air.
"Good," said Willis; "the commodore gives the signal." "That shot," observed Jack, "passed at no great distance from your head, Willis.

You had better take a musket in self-defence.

Besides, that ship is English, and you are a Scotchman." "The ship is a Spaniard by birth," replied Willis, "and it is pretty well time it was converted into firewood, for the matter of that.

But it is the flag, my boy--_that_ is neither Spanish nor English." "What is it, then ?" inquired Fritz.
"It is the union-jack, Master Fritz.

It is the ensign of Scotland, England, and Ireland united under one bonnet; and as such, it is as sacred in my eyes as if it bore the cross of St.Andrew." Musket balls were now rattling pretty freely amongst the shrouds.