"There's the commodore," said Desmond, pointing to a middle-aged, gaunt-looking Don who was walking the deck with his cocked hat stuck ferociously on one side, "and that fat officer is our friend the first lieutenant. If they don't know how to be civil, we'll show them," and stepping aft, he made them both a profound bow, and introduced Higson. The Dons instinctively took off their hats, unable to withstand the influence of the young midshipman's politeness. Higson handed his despatches to the commodore who opened the envelope, but, unable to read English, he turned to his first lieutenant, and asked him the meaning of the paper. The latter confessed his inability to make it out; for though he spoke a little English he was unable to read it, as was possibly the case with regard to his own language. Higson therefore explained that the despatches came from the commander of the man-of-war outside the harbour, who requested that the British subjects now held in captivity by the Carthagenans might at once be delivered up to him. The commodore, to whom the lieutenant interpreted what Higson said, replied that he could not give an immediate reply; that the despatch being written in English he could not comprehend it; and as to delivering up the prisoners, that was a matter on which his Government must decide.-- He had therefore no reply to make to the English officer, who must take the consequences should he venture into the harbour. This was the sum total of the answer given by the commodore, through his first lieutenant, though it took a considerable time to deliver. "Tell the commodore, then," said Higson, "that as this is a friendly port my commander will certainly come into it as he wishes to communicate with our consul, to whom he intends rendering assistance in obtaining the liberation of the prisoners." "What does he mean by that?" exclaimed the commodore, when the answer was interpreted to him. "If he attempts to use force, he will find that the honour of those in whose veins flows the pure blood of Castille is not to be trifled with;" and the Don stamped, and fumed, and strutted about the deck, drawing his sword and flourishing it over his head as if his ship was about that moment to be boarded by the English. Desmond, reckless of the consequences which might have ensued, burst into a fit of laughter. "What does the boy mean?" exclaimed the commodore, advancing with threatening gestures towards him. "Just tell your captain that my companion is an Irish midshipman. It's a curious habit he's got of laughing at anything which tickles his fancy, and he cannot mean to be disrespectful to so great a hero." The first lieutenant explained what Higson had said, and possibly saved the midshipman from being then and there run through the body by the irate Don. "Then I am to understand that this is the message I am to carry back to my commander," said Higson, to the fat officer.