human
Tom! exclaimed I,
gpt
By water, Jacob, as you may suppose.
human
But how have you received your discharge? Is the ship come home?
gpt
I hope not; the fact is, I discharged myself, Jacob.
human
What! did you desert?
gpt
Even so. I had three reasons for so doing. In the first place, I could not remain without you; in the second, my mother wrote to say Mary was taken up with a sodger; and the third was, I was put into the report for punishment, and should have been flogged, as sure as the captain had a pair of epaulettes.
human
Well, but sit down and tell me all about it. You know your discharge is obtained.
gpt
Yes, thanks to you, Jacob; all the better, for now they won't look after me. All's well that ends well. After you went away, I presume I was not in the very best of humours; and that rascal of a master's mate who had us pressed, thought proper to bully me beyond all bearing. One day he called me a lying scoundrel; upon which I forgot that I was on board of a man-of-war, and replied that he was a confounded cheat, and that he had better pay me his debt of two guineas for bringing him down the river. He reported me on the quarter-deck for calling him a cheat, and Captain Maclean, who, you know, won't stand any nonsense, heard the arguments on both sides; upon which he declared that the conduct of the master's mate was not that of an officer or a gentleman, and therefore _he_ should leave the ship; and that my language to my superior officer was subversive to the discipline of the service, and therefore he should give me a good flogging. Now, Jacob, you know that if the officers don't pay their debts, Captain Maclean always does, and with interest into the bargain; so finding that I was in for it, and no mistake, I swam ashore the night before Black Monday, and made my way to Miramichi, without any adventure, except a tussle with a sergeant of marines, whom I left for dead about three miles out of the town. At Miramichi I got on board of a timber ship, and here I am.
human
I am sorry that you deserted, nevertheless, replied I;
gpt
Never fear; the people on the river know that I have my discharge, and I'm safe enough.
human
Have you seen Mary!
gpt
Yes, and all's right in that quarter. I shall build another wherry, wear my badge and dress, and stick above bridge. When I'm all settled, I'll splice, and live along with the old couple.
human
But will Mary consent to live there? It is so quiet and retired that she won't like it.
gpt
Mary Stapleton has given herself airs enough in all conscience, and has had her own way quite enough. Mary Beazeley will do as her husband wishes, or I will know the reason why.
human
We shall see, Tom. Bachelors' wives are always best managed, they say. But now you want money to buy your boat.
gpt
Yes, if you'll lend it to me; I don't like to take it away from the old people; and I'll pay you when I can, Jacob.
human
No; you must accept this, Tom; and when you marry you must accept something more,
gpt
With all my heart, Jacob. I never can repay you for what you have done for me, and so I may just as well increase the debt.
human
That's good logic, Tom.
gpt
Quite as good as independence; is it not, Jacob?
human
Better, much better, as I know to my cost,