"Would you be after hearing the nerve of him, fellers?" he exclaimed in derision. 'Tis meself that thinks it sounds like adding insult to injury. After lettin' the pack loose to make a square meal from us, then askin' pay, because we had to fight to save our precious lives. 'Tis a rare joke, it is--not on your tintype, Mister Harkness. Our principle is 'millions for defense, not a plunk for tribute.' So put that in your pipe and smoke it."