human
Money’s plenty! I ain’t quite such a highway robber as to take ten pounds. What do you want to go for?
gpt
Oh, for fun, and for our health! The doctors have ordered a sea-voyage for us, we’ve been studying so hard.
human
There now, Ben! What did you say last night about lying?
gpt
No, captain, we want to go on a voyage, and we’ve got the money to pay for the trip. Won’t you take us?
human
Well, now, I don’t know about that. You are running away from home, you two chaps; I know you be.
gpt
No, honest! said Ben.
human
We are hundreds of miles away from home now, and our fathers don’t expect us back for over a month yet. It’s vacation now, and we want to go somewhere: that’s what father sent me the money for.
gpt
I don’t know whether you are tellin’ the truth or lyin’, boys.
human
That’s the truth, said Ben,
gpt
You ain’t used to quarters like mine. Look down in that cabin!
human
Oh, pooh, we don’t mind! we can stand anything you can.
gpt
You can now--eh? Ha, ha, ha!---Marcus, they can stand anything I can--ha, ha, ha!
human
How about fare? Like pretty good food, I reckon; don’t you now?
gpt
Oh, we don’t care what it is, if we only get enough. We expect to rough it.
human
Oh, you do! Well, now, you ain’t never sea-sick nor nothin’; are you?
gpt
Oh, sea-sick! No; I’ve been on the lake many a time when it was rough enough,
human
Oh, the lake! yes, I see.--Then of course they won’t be sea-sick in a chop sea here, Marcus; will they?
gpt
I declare I’ve a good mind to take you, just to take the conceit out of you.
human
We don’t care what you do it for, if you only say we can go,
gpt
Have you got pork and potatoes aboard, enough to keep two more, Marcus?
human
Ye-es, drawled Marcus;
gpt
No; that’s so, poor wretches!--I tell you, boys, it won’t be fun going in a fishing-smack. Rough seas like enough, and rough quarters, and rough fare.
human
We know that--we expect that; we’ll promise not to grumble,
gpt
And we’ll pay you well, captain,
human
Well, now, wait till we see how much trouble you make before you talk about the pay. I don’t believe I ought to take you; but I’d like to have you get enough of it for once.
gpt
Then we may come! Wait till we get our luggage.
human
Luggage! cried the captain in alarm;
gpt
Oh, only two valises;