human
he grunted to Rodd.
gpt
That's a rum name for a smart brig like that. Wonder what she is. I never see'd Jenny spelt like that afore. That's the French way of doing it, I suppose.
human
Shouldn't have knowed it, he said;
gpt
Why, that's a man-of-war, isn't it, Joe?
human
Well, a kind of a sort of one, you know, sir. One of them as goes off in war times to hark in private for any bit of news about well-laden merchantmen, and then goes off to capture them.
gpt
But what makes you think that, Joe? asked Rodd.
human
Why, look at her rig, sir. See what a heap of sail she could carry. I don't hold with a brig for fast-sailing, but look at the length of them two masts, and see how she's pierced for guns. She has shut up shop snug enough on account of the storm, but I'll wager she could run out some bulldogs--I mean, French poodles--as could bark if she liked. Then there's a big long gun amidships.
gpt
I didn't see it, said Rodd.
human
Maybe not, my lad, but I did.
gpt
Well, but a merchantman might carry guns to defend herself, Joe.
human
Ay, she might, sir; but she wouldn't, unless she was going on a job like ours and wanted to scare off savages; and that aren't likely, for I should say we are the only vessel afloat as is going on such a fishing expedition as ours. And then look at her crew.
gpt
What about her crew? said Rodd.
human
It seemed to be a very good one so far as I could see.
gpt
A deal too good, sir. Who ever saw a merchantman with such a crew as that? Didn't you see how smart they were in obeying orders and getting down that anchor?
human
Why, no smarter than our crew,
gpt
Smarter than our crew, Mr Rodd, sir! I should think not! cried the sailor.
human
Why, they are French! Still it was very tidy for them. I should like to know, though, what they are. I do believe I'm right, and that she is a private ear. Not been watching us, has she? Seems rather queer.
gpt
Why should she be watching us?
human
Why should a private ear be watching any smart schooner, except to make a prize of her?
gpt
Oh, but that's in time of war, cried Rodd.
human
Ay, sir, but your private ears aren't very particular about that. This is near enough to war time still, and if I was our skipper I should keep a good sharp eye on that craft. But he knows pretty well what he's about. His head is screwed on the right way. But I say, Mr Rodd, how should you like a bit of the real thing, same as we used to have when I was in a King's ship?
gpt
What, a naval action?
human
Oh, you may call it that, sir, if you like. I mean a bit of real French and English, and see which is best man.
gpt
Oh, nonsense! That's all over now, Joe.
human
I don't know so much about that, sir.
gpt
But we are in a friendly port, Joe, and no French ship would dare attack one of ours.
human
No, sir, I know they daren't do it, said the man stubbornly;
gpt
Ah, you are thinking a lot of nonsense, Joe, said Rodd.
human
The war is all at an end, and Napoleon Bonaparte shut up in prison at Saint Helena. There'll be no more fighting now.
gpt
Well, sir, I suppose you are right, said the man, with something like a sigh;
human
Of course there won't be. We are friends now with France.
gpt
Yes, sir, and the French pretends to be friends with us; but all the same if I was the skipper I should double my night watch and be well on the look-out for squalls.--Ay, ay, sir!