human
Ha! said she, seating herself hard by.
gpt
The sun is new-risen, yet you do sweat wofully, the which I do joy to see. So-ho, then, labour and sweat, my pretty man: it shall be all vain, aha--vain and to no purpose.
human
Am I not better as a woman, eh, Martino? asked she, spreading out her petticoats.
gpt
Aye, to be sure your eyes do tell me so, scowl and mutter as you will. See now, Martino, I have lived here three days and in all this woful weary time hast never asked my name, which is strange, unless dost know it already, for 'tis famous hereabouts and all along the Main; indeed 'tis none so wonderful you should know it--
human
I don't! said I.
gpt
Nor wish to!
human
Then I will tell you--'tis Joan! Hereupon I dropped my spade and she, seeing how I stared upon her, burst into a peal of laughter.
gpt
Ah, ah! cried she.
human
Here is pretty, soft name and should fit me as well as another. Why must you stare so fool-like; here is no witchcraft, for in the caves yonder 'Joan' meeteth me at every turn; 'tis carven on walls, on chairs, on table, together with 'Damaris' and many woful, lovesick mottoes beside.
gpt
Damaris--Joan! said she.
human
At first methought these two women, but now do I know Joan is Damaris and Damaris Joan and you a poor, lovelorn fool. But as for me--I am Joanna--
gpt
Joanna?
human
Ah, you have heard it--this name, before--yes?
gpt
Aye, in a song.
human
Oh, verily!
gpt
There's a fine Spanish dame And Joanna's her name Shall follow wherever you go--
human
Till your black heart shall feel Your own cursed steel Black Bartlemy--Bartlemy, ho!
gpt
But this was my mother--
human
Ha--she that stabbed and killed the pirate Bartlemy ere he slew her? But she was a Spanish lady.
gpt
Nay, she was English, and lieth buried hereabouts, 'tis said; howbeit, she died here whiles I was with the Indians. They found me, very small and helpless, in the ruins of a burned town and took me away into the mountains and, being Indians, used me kindly and well. Then came white men, twenty and two, and, being Christians, slew the Indians and used me evilly and were cruel, save only one; twenty and two they were and all dead long ago, each and every, save only one. Aha, Martino, for the evil men have made me endure, I have ever been excellent well avenged! For I am Joanna that some call 'Culebra' and some 'Gadfly' and some 'Fighting Jo.' And indeed there be few men can match me at swordplay and as for musket and pistol--watch now, Martino, the macaw yonder!