"Ramsay demurred, then began, 'The first thing I'm going to do is resign my commission effective immediately. I will not bring arms against you. The second thing I'm going to do is still beseech you to surrender.'

'What are you talking about?'

'I don't ask you as an adversary, I ask you as a brother. Do not resist. You haven't any idea of what you're up against Clovis.'

'It would not be the first time I have been outmanned, and underestimated.'

"Ramsay shook his head. 'The game has passed you by old friend. You speak of being outmanned, you're outgunned. With what are you going to defend this place? Your sword? Your dagger?' he asked pointing to my side. He turned away and walked to the stone railing at the edge of the roof. 'Will these be your defenders?' he asked placing a hand on one of the two short, cannon mortars guarding the port.

'The men who live in those homes down there will be my defenders,' I said.

"He leaned out over the edge. 'You'll lead them to their doom. These streets will run red with blood Clovis. I've seen what modern soldiers and cannon can do.'

'And you think these Yemenis know not of bloodshed? These sands have been stained with enough blood to drain your precious England dry.'

"Ramsay turned and moved his face close to mine. 'Listen to me, I'm not talking about some petty tribal squabblings. I'm talking about the dispatching of men en masse.'

"I stood in front of him, unmoved by his pleas.

'I asked to speak with you in hopes a compromise could be found, allowing you and I to walk away from this crossroads.'

'What are your captain's terms?'

"Ramsay unfolded a sheet of paper from his pocket and began to read. 'All municipal functions to be surrendered immediately. All means of transportation to be commandeered as property of the crown, including all beasts of burden. All stores of coffee and all future production forthwith to be sold to the crown for the set rate of five hundred riyals per ton, in perpetuity. The city and port of Mocha, along with all arable surrounding highlands to be annexed by the crown as a British protectorate. That is all.'

'That is all. Surely you jest. I could no more allow the British here than I could raise my own flag. Your captain's terms will be unacceptable to the people of this town, not to mention I would be egregiously errant in my duties to allow it.'

'Then you will not agree?'

'Absolutely not.'

'Will you at least allow a garrison of British soldiers to remain here?'

'No I cannot.'

'I know the captain will not negotiate on that point. The town must be under British rule.'

'Then there will be no negotiation,' I said proudly.