Let her disclaim responsibility for me, when your ambassador at the Escurial shall go whining to the Supreme Council of this act of piracy by Don Miguel de Espinosa." "Captain Blood and the rest are not admirals of England!" cried Lord Julian.
"Are they not?
How do I know?
How does Spain know?
Are you not liars all, you English heretics ?" "Sir!" Lord Julian's voice was harsh as a rasp, his eyes flashed.
Instinctively he swung a hand to the place where his sword habitually hung.

Then he shrugged and sneered: "Of course," said he, "it sorts with all I have heard of Spanish honour and all that I have seen of yours that you should insult a man who is unarmed and your prisoner." The Admiral's face flamed scarlet.

He half raised his hand to strike.
And then, restrained, perhaps, by the very words that had cloaked the retorting insult, he turned on his heel abruptly and went out without answering..