human
I saw a polar bear that this man killed in open fight. I saw his arm afterward, and while nursing him away from death I heard no whines or complaints. He can fight his own battles when well, and when sick I'll do it for him. If you insult him again in my presence I'll knock your teeth down your throat.
gpt
Whether this story is true or false, it certainly has no bearing on the validity of the policy. If this happened, it was after the policy attached and before the wreck of the _Titan_.
human
But der concealment--der concealment,
gpt
Has no bearing, either. If he concealed anything it was done after the wreck, and after your liability was confirmed. It was not even barratry. You must pay this insurance.
human
I will not bay it. I will not. I will fight you in der courts.
gpt
And even if der concealment will not vitiate der policy, der fact that he had a drunken man on lookout when der _Titan_ struck der iceberg will be enough. Go ahead and sue. I will not pay. He was part owner.
human
You have no witnesses to that admission,
gpt
Captain Bryce was mistaken, said Mr. Austen.
human
This man was drunk at New York, like others of the crew. But he was sober and competent when on lookout. I discussed theories of navigation with him during his trick on the bridge that night and he spoke intelligently.
gpt
But you yourself said, not ten minutes ago, that this man was in a state of delirium tremens up to der collision,
human
What I said and what I will admit under oath are two different things, said the officer, desperately.
gpt
I may have said anything under the excitement of the moment--when we were accused of such an infamous crime. I say now, that John Rowland, whatever may have been his condition on the preceding night, was a sober and competent lookout at the time of the wreck of the _Titan_.
human
Thank you,
gpt
I do not think it will be necessary to brand me before the world as an inebriate in order to punish the company and these men. Barratry, as I understand it, is the unlawful act of a captain or crew at sea, causing damage or loss; and it only applies when the parties are purely employees. Did I understand rightly--that Captain Bryce was part owner of the _Titan_?
human
Yes, said Mr. Meyer,
gpt
And an unlawful act, went on Rowland,
human
Certainly, said Mr. Meyer, eagerly.
gpt
You were drunk on der lookout--you were raving drunk, as he said himself. You will swear to this, will you not, my friend? It is bad faith with der underwriters. It annuls der insurance. You admit this, Mr. Thompson, do you not?
human
That is law,
gpt
Was Mr. Austen a part owner, also?
human
One share, is it not, Mr. Austen?
gpt
Then, for drugging a sailor into a stupor, and having him on lookout out of his turn while in that condition, and at the moment when the _Titan_ struck the iceberg, Captain Bryce and Mr. Austen have, as part owners, committed an act which nullifies the insurance on that ship.
human
You infernal, lying scoundrel!