It's only bread and meat that we can offer you, I am sorry to say; we are not living in a very luxurious style at present,--on rather short rations, on the contrary.

But meanwhile you will take a glass of this excellent punch with us, and we will drink to a merry Christmas.

Fill your glasses, gentlemen all.

Your news is the first good news we have had for so long that we have almost forgot what good news is.

It is certainly very pleasant for us, eh, gentlemen?
Now give us some of the details of the capture of the transport.