human
Tom, said I,
gpt
Wait one moment to see if they will help us--and get our money, at all events,
human
Come on board, sir,
gpt
You've broke your leave, sir, replied the first lieutenant,
human
If you please, they are two very fine young men, observed the mate.
gpt
Make capital foretopmen. Boat's not worth sending for, sir.
human
Who are you, my lads?
gpt
Watermen, sir.
human
Watermen, heh? was that your own boat?
gpt
No, sir, replied I;
human
Oh, not your own boat? Are you an apprentice, then?
gpt
Yes, sir, both apprentices.
human
Show me your indentures.
gpt
We don't carry them about with us.
human
Then how am I to know that you are apprentices?
gpt
We can prove it, sir, if you wish it.
human
I do wish it; at all events, the captain will wish it.
gpt
Will you please to send for the boat, sir? she's almost out of sight.
human
No, my lads, I can't find king's boats for such service.
gpt
Then we had better go ourselves, Tom,
human
Stop--stop--not so fast. Where are you going, my lads?
gpt
To pick up our boat, sir.
human
Without my leave, heh?
gpt
We don't belong to the frigate, sir.
human
No; but I think it very likely that you will, for you have no protections.
gpt
We can send for them, and have them down by to-morrow morning.
human
Well, you may do so if you please, my lads; but you can not expect me to believe everything that is told me. Now, for instance, how long have you to serve, my lad?
gpt
My time is up to-morrow, sir.
human
Up to-morrow. Why, then, I shall detain you until tomorrow, and then I shall press you.
gpt
If you detain me now, sir, I am pressed to-day.
human
Oh, no! you are only detained until you prove your apprenticeship, that's all.
gpt
Nay, sir, I certainly am pressed during my apprenticeship.
human
Not at all, and I'll prove it to you. You don't belong to the ship until you are victualled on her books. Now I sha'n't _victual_ you to-day, and therefore you won't be _pressed_.
gpt
I shall be pressed with hunger at all events,
human
No you sha'n't; for I'll send you both a good dinner out of the gun-room. So you won't be pressed at all,
gpt
You will allow me to go, sir, at all events,
human
Pooh! nonsense; you must both row in the same boat as you have done. The fact is, my lads, I've taken a great fancy to you both, and I can't make up my mind to part with you.
gpt
It's hard to lose our bread this way,
human
We will find you bread, and hard enough you will find it, replied the lieutenant, laughing;
gpt
So we ask for bread, and you give us a stone, said Tom;
human
Very true, my lad; but the fact is, all the scriptures in the world won't man the frigate. Men we must have, and get them how we can, and where we can, and when we can. Necessity has no law; at least it obliges us to break through all laws. After all, there's no great hardship in serving the king for a year or two, and filling your pockets with prize-money. Suppose you volunteer?
gpt
Will you allow us to go on shore for half-an-hour to think about it?
human
No. I'm afraid of the crimps dissuading you. But I'll give you till to-morrow morning, and then I shall be sure of one at all events.
gpt
Thanky for me,
human
You're very welcome,
gpt
Well, Jacob, we are in for it, said Tom, as soon as we were alone.
human
Depend upon it there's no mistake this time.
gpt
I am afraid not, replied I,
human
When does the frigate sail!
gpt
My good fellow, it's not the custom on board of a man-of-war for men to ask officers to answer such impertinent questions. It's quite sufficient for you to know that when the frigate sails you will have the pleasure of sailing in her.
human
Well, sir, replied I, nettled at his answer,
gpt
Two guineas! It's two guineas you want, heh.
human
Yes, sir, that was the fare we agreed upon.
gpt
Why you must observe, my men, said the master's mate, hooking a thumb into each armhole of his waistcoat,
human
Here we are sir.
gpt
No, my lads, you are men-of-war's men now, and that quite alters the case.
human
But we are not so yet, sir; even if it did alter the case, we are not pressed yet.
gpt
Well, then, you'll be to-morrow, perhaps; at all events we shall see. If you are allowed to go on shore again, I owe you two guineas as watermen; and if you are detained as men-of-war's men, why then you will only have done your duty in pulling down one of your officers. You see, my lads, I say nothing but what's fair.
human
Well, sir, but when you hired us we were watermen,
gpt
Very true, so you were; but recollect the two guineas were not due until you had completed your task, which was not until you came on board. When you came on board you were pressed, and became men-of-war's men. You should have asked for your fare before the first lieutenant got hold of you. Don't you perceive the justice of my remarks?
human
Can't say I do, sir; but I perceive there's very little chance of our being paid,
gpt
You are a lad of discrimination, replied the master's mate.
human
And now I advise you to drop the subject, or you may induce me to pay you `man-of-war fashion.'
gpt
How's that, sir?
human
Over the face and eyes, as the cat paid the monkey,
gpt
No go, Tom,
human
I'm afraid it's _no go_ in every way, Jacob. However, I don't care much about it. I have had a little hankering after seeing the world, and perhaps now's as well as an other time; but I'm sorry for you, Jacob.
gpt
It's all my own fault,