human
You are an Englishman, I guess?
gpt
I guess I am,
human
I thought we shouldn't be long in our waters afore we met some of you old-country sarpents. No harm in what I said, I hope?
gpt
Oh, no, said I,
human
Come from Smyrna, and bound to Boston, where I hope to be to-morrow morning, by the blessing of God, and a good conscience.
gpt
And pray, said I,
human
Not so light neither, I guess, said the man;
gpt
I have no notion, said I,
human
Why you see, notions is what we call a little of all sorts like. Some likes one thing, you know, and some another: some likes sweet almonds, and some likes silk, and some likes opium, and some (he added, with a cunning grin)
gpt
And are these the notions with which you are loaded?
human
I guess they are,
gpt
And what might your outward cargo have been?
human
Salt fish, flour, and tobacco,
gpt
And is this all you have in return? I asked.
human
I thought the Smyrna trade had been a very good one.
gpt
Well, so it is, said the unwary Yankee.
human
Thirty thousand dollars in the cabin, besides the oil and the rest of the goods, ain't no bad thing.
gpt
I am very glad to hear of the dollars,
human
What odds does that make to you? said the captain;
gpt
More than you may think, said I.
human
Have you heard the news as you came along?
gpt
the poor man's face became the colour of one in the jaundice.
human
What news?
gpt
Why, only that your president, Mr Madison, has thought fit to declare war against England.
human
You're only a joking?
gpt
I give you my word of honour I am serious, said I;
human
I am a ruined man, said he.
gpt
I only wish I'd known a little sooner of the war you talk about: I've got two nice little guns there forward; you shouldn't a had me so easily.