"Now what will I do to you?" said Wogan. "Did you not fire at my back?
That's reprehensible cowardice. And with my own pistol, too, which is
sheer impertinence. What will I do with you?" The man's expression was
so pitiable, his heavy cheeks hung in such despairing folds, that Wogan
was stirred to laughter. "Well, you have put me to a deal of
inconvenience," said he; "but I will be merciful, being strong, being
most extraordinary strong. I'll send you back to your master the Emperor
with a message from me that four men are no manner of use at all. Come
in here for a bit."
Wogan took the unfortunate man and led him into the parlour. Then he lit
a lamp, and making his captive sit where he could see any movement that
he made, he wrote a very polite note to his Most Catholic Majesty the
Emperor wherein he pointed out that it was a cruel thing to send four
poor men who had never done harm to capture Charles Wogan; that no King
or Emperor before who had wanted to capture Charles Wogan, of whom there
were already many, and by God's grace he hoped there would be more, had
ever despatched less than a regiment of horse upon so hazardous an
expedition; and that when Captain O'Toole might be expected to be
standing side by side with Wogan, it was usually thought necessary to
add seven batteries of artillery and a field marshal. Wogan thereupon
went on to point out that Peri was in Venetian territory, which his Most
Catholic Majesty had violated, and that Charles Wogan would accordingly
feel it his bounden duty not to sleep night or day until he had made a
confederation of Italian states to declare war and captivity upon his
Most Catholic Majesty. Wogan concluded with the assurances of his
profoundest respects and was much pleased by his letter, which he sealed
and compelled his prisoner upon his knees to promise to deliver into the
Emperor's own hands.
"Now where is that pretty warrant?" said Wogan, as soon as this
important function was accomplished.
"It is signed by the Governor of Trent," said the man.
"Who in those regions is the Emperor's deputy. Hand it over."
The man handed it over reluctantly.
"Now," continued Wogan, "here is paper and ink and a chair. Sit down and
write a full confession of your audacious incursion into a friendly
country, and just write, if you please, how much you paid the landlady
to hear nothing of what was doing."