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"Just so!" said the commodore. He cast a long look at the Egyptian, glanced around at us to see how we took this proposition, and chewed his tobacco with fierce energy. Then he exploded:

"I'd blow every one of those pirate nests out of the water before I'd pay one of those bloody Bashaws a sixpence!"

"I'D BLOW EVERY ONE OF THOSE PIRATE NESTS OUT OF

THE WATER BEFORE I'D PAY ONE OF THOSE BLOODY

BASHAWS A SIXPENCE!" SAID THE COMMODORE.

"Then!" said Murad, "I'm afraid American commerce will find itself barred from the Mediterranean! I have no interest in the corsairs. I was merely trying to point out a way by which your skippers could find new markets over there without being attacked or imprisoned."

"Well, just belay that advice when you're talking to a man who has fought for, and still will fight for the honor of his country!" growled the commodore.

We followed the old sailor.

"That fellow's in this land for no good!" the commodore said to the rector. "The last time I attended a session of Congress, I saw him listening to the debates. I reckon he's keeping the rulers of Barbary informed of what's going on over here. Those fellows want to know how rich our country is, so that they can tax us all that our finances can stand. I wouldn't be surprised, either, if Murad's not sending advices of our sailings, so that those pirates can be on the watch for our ships!