human
We've no _sarvice_ in our country, I've a notion, my old bobtail roarer, said he.
gpt
When do you come alongside of my schooner, for tother lading with this raft of yours? Not to-night, I guess.
human
Well, you've guessed right this time, replied old Tom;
gpt
Yes, for all the world like a Louisiana alligator. You take things coolly, I've a notion, in the old country. I don't want to be hanging head and starn in this little bit of a river of your'n. I must be back to New York afore fever time.
human
She be a pretty craft, that little thing of yours, observed old Tom;
gpt
How long? I expect in just no time; and she'd go as fast again, only she won't wait for the breeze to come up with her.
human
Why don't you heave-to for it?
gpt
Lose too much time, I guess. I have been chased by an easterly wind all the way from your Land's End to our Narrows, and it never could overhaul me.
human
And I presume the porpoises give it up in despair, don't they? replied old Tom, with a leer;
gpt
They never play their tricks with me, old snapper; if they do, I cuts them in halves, and a-starn they go, head part floating on one side, and tail part on the other.
human
But don't they join together again when they meet in your wake?
gpt
Shouldn't wonder,
human
Pray, captain, what may be that vessel they talk so much about at New York? Old Tom referred to the first steam vessel, whose qualities at that time had been tried, and an exaggerated report of which had been copied from the American papers.
gpt
That ship, or whatever she may be, that sails without masts, yards, or canvas; it is quite above my comprehension.
human
Old country heads can't take it in. I'll tell you what--she goes slick through the water, a-head or a-starn, broadside on, or up or down, or any way; and all you have to do is to poke the fire and warm your fingers; and the more you poke, the faster she goes 'gainst wind and tide.
gpt
Well, I must see that to believe it, though,
human
No fear of a capsize, I calculate. My little craft did upset with me one night, in a pretty comfortable heavy _gal_; but she's _smart_, and came up again on the other side in a moment, all right as before. Never should have known anything about it, if the man at the wheel had not found his jacket wet, and the men below had a round turn in all the clews of their hammocks.
gpt
After that round turn, you may belay,
human
Yes, but don't let's have a stopper over all, Tom, replied his father.
gpt
I consider all this excessively _divarting_. Pray, captain, does everything else go fast in the new country.
human
Everything with us _clean slick_, I guess.
gpt
What sort of horses have you in America?
human
Our Kentucky horses, I've a notion, would surprise you. They're almighty goers; at a trot, beat a _North West gal_ of wind. I once took an Englishman with me in a gig up Allibama country, and he says, `What's this great churchyard we are passing through?' `And stranger,' says I, `I calculate it's nothing but the milestones we are passing so _slick_.' But I once had a horse, who, I expect, was a deal quicker than that. I once seed a flash of lightning chase him for half-an-hour round the clearance, and I guess it couldn't catch him. But I can't wait no longer. I expect you'll come alongside to-morrow afore meridian.
gpt
Ay, ay, master,
human
I calculate you are no fool of a screamer,
gpt
And I calculate you're no fool of a liar,
human
Well, so he is; but I do like a good lie, Jacob, there's some fun in it. But what the devil does the fellow mean by calling a gale of wind--_a gal_?
gpt
I don't know, replied Tom,
human
You, Faithful, come out of that barge directly, and go to your desk. I will have no eye-servers under me. Come out, sir, directly.
gpt
I say, Mr Quilldriver, cried old Tom,
human
Yes, I do; and want none of your impertinence, or I'll unship you, you old blackguard.
gpt
Well, then, for the first part of your story, my sarvice to you and you _lies_; and as for the second, that remains to be proved.
human
Why, I thought, Jacob, you were 'prentice to the river; but it seems that you're bound to the counting-house. How long do you mean to sarve?
gpt
I don't know, replied I, as I walked away sulkily;
human
Very well, sir, I shall report your behaviour to Mr Drummond. I'll make him know your tricks.
gpt
Tricks! you won't let him know his tricks. His duty is to take his trick at the wheel, replied old Tom;
human
Cheating tricks, you old scoundrel, what do you mean by that?
gpt
My father means _ledger_demain, I suppose,
human
You seemed to hit him hard there, Tom, said his father;
gpt
You've had me taught to read and write, father, replied young Tom;
human
And very hard you hit him with it.
gpt
Who wouldn't to serve a friend? But mark my words, father, this won't last long. There's a squall blowing up, and Jacob, quiet as he seems to be, will show his teeth ere long.