The corporal was for beginning the demolition, by making a breach in the ramparts, or main fortifications of the town ----No, --that will never do, corporal, said my uncle _Toby_, for in going that way to work with the town, the _English_ garrison will not be safe in it an hour; because if the _French_ are treacherous ----They are as treacherous as devils, an' please your honour, said the corporal ----It gives me concern always when I hear it, _Trim_, said my uncle _Toby_, --for they don't want personal bravery; and if a breach is made in the ramparts, they may enter it, and make themselves masters of the place when they please: ----Let them enter it, said the corporal, lifting up his pioneer's spade in both his hands, as if he was going to lay about him with it, --let them enter, an' please your honour, if they dare. ----In cases like this, corporal, said my uncle _Toby_, slipping his right hand down to the middle of his cane, and holding it afterwards truncheon-wise with his forefinger extended, ----'tis no part of the consideration of a commandant, what the enemy dare, --or what they dare not do; he must act with prudence. We will begin with the outworks both towards the sea and the land, and particularly with fort _Louis_, the most distant of them all, and demolish it first, --and the rest, one by one, both on our right and left, as we retreat towards the town; ----then we'll demolish the mole, --next fill up the harbour, --then retire into the citadel, and blow it up into the air: and having done that, corporal, we'll embark for _England_. ----We are there, quoth the corporal, recollecting himself ----Very true, said my uncle _Toby_--looking at the church.
The corporal was all for beginning the demolition, by making a breach in the ramparts.
'No, that will never do,' said my uncle Toby, 'for then the English garrison will not be safe an hour; because if the French are treacherous-'
'They are as treacherous as devils, your honour,' said the corporal.
'It gives me concern to hear it, Trim,' said my uncle Toby, 'for they don't lack personal bravery; and if a breach is made in the ramparts, they may enter it, and make themselves masters of the place.'
'Let them enter, if they dare,' said the corporal, brandishing his spade.
'In cases like this, corporal,' said my uncle Toby, 'a commandant must act with prudence. We will begin with the outworks towards the sea and the land, and demolish the most distant, Fort Louis, first - and the rest, one by one, as we retreat towards the town; then we'll fill up the harbour - retire into the citadel, and blow it up: and then, corporal, we'll embark for England.'
'We are there,' quoth the corporal, recollecting himself.
'Very true,' said my uncle Toby, looking at the church.