human
May I ask, Mr Betts, what you intend doing?
gpt
What's that to you? asked the boatswain, gruffly.
human
You are only passengers, and will have to go where the ship goes.
gpt
I had no intention of dictating to you, replied Tom;
human
That must depend upon circumstances, said the boatswain, evasively.
gpt
I am in command of this ship, and intend to keep it, unless the captain and mate should come on board.
human
We are perfectly ready to obey you, and to assist you in carrying the ship, either to Hong-kong, or Honolulu in the Sandwich Islands, or Sydney, where you may obtain fresh hands to take her home, and all I ask is that you will tell me for which of these ports you intend to steer.
gpt
I have not made up my mind upon the matter,
human
Perhaps you expect that we may still find the captain and boats crews; and if we were to work to windward during the night, and run back to-morrow over the same course, we may fall in with them, should they have kept afloat during the gale,
gpt
Wait until you see what I do, said the boatswain.
human
As you may be wanted on deck, I advise you to turn in and get some sleep; the ship is hove to now, and for what I can tell, hove to she will remain for some hours longer.