human
What an eloquent fellow you are, Hume! he said;
gpt
I don't care for champagne iced.
human
You don't, eh? but maybe you'd care to be seated where he is, within the range of those lustrous eyes, or was it luminous you called them, for all the world as though you were speaking of a black cat in a coal-cellar? And such cigars as she smokes, too?
gpt
She doesn't smoke cigars!
human
Man, I saw the glow of one last night, burning red, and lighting, by its reflection, the dark splendour of her eyes, as you magnificently put it.
gpt
It was a cigarette, and you might know, if you were not always between waking and sleeping, that most high-bred Spanish women smoke them, and think no more of it than a dab of powder.
human
Then you were smoking the cigar, and I was awake enough to see that the fierce light of the cigar was closer than the breadth of my hand to the tiny glow of the dainty cigarette. I've been thinking whether I ought to congratulate you or her first.
gpt
Don't be an ass, Webster; I was merely explaining to her the map of the stars.
human
Then there's nothing between you?
gpt
Nothing but the length of the ship.
human
Then that relieves my heart of a great pressure, which has sat there ever since I had salt junk for breakfast. I shall propose to the Commodore myself.
gpt
The devil you will!
human
Yes, my boy, for I'm sick to death of seeing that red-banded dandy flashing his teeth in the face of her as though he were the only man on board with courage enough to make love to a pretty girl.
gpt
You are fooling.
human
Not me. I've been thinking, and it occurred to me that I've lived long enough in a circle. I want to pass the remainder of my life in a square house with someone like the Commodore, who won't obey orders. She would want to paint the walls yellow to match her complexion, and I would tell the Quartermaster to paint them blue to remind me of the sea. The house would have a flat roof with a flag-post on the weather quarter. I would hoist my colours in the morning, and she would bend on hers in the afternoon, for I've noticed that a woman grows more active as the day dwindles. It is a trait she enjoys in common with cats.
gpt
My dear fellow, said Frank earnestly,
human
Can you suggest any improvement?
gpt
Well, you would do well to hint at the luxury of green blinds for the windows, and pictures on the walls.
human
If there is one thing I detest more than soda with whisky, it's satire; you should leave such weapons to that glass-eyed lubber aft, who always looks at me as if I were a monstrosity, and sets my muscles moving to catch him by the neck. Now, Frank, for the honour of all good men, sail in and win the prize. I mean it. You can see for yourself that the fellow is every kind of a rogue, and though the Commodore doesn't answer well to the helm, it would be a wicked shame to see her taken in tow by that shark. Hang me if the fellow was not rattling dice last night with that black-hearted piccaroon, Juarez.
gpt
Is that a fact?
human
Ay, that it is; and it came across me that the two of them were too friendly for our safety. It was about four bells, and I had gone below to turn in, when I heard the unmistakable rattle, and peeping in through the ventilator above the door, saw the two of them hard at it, with the everlasting bottle at their elbows.
gpt
Have you told the Captain?
human
I did; and he scowled horribly. You know how pleasant he looks when he is put out; and he went down straightway and tumbled the gentle pirate into his cell, at the same time threatening to clap Commins in irons if he sought such congenial society again.
gpt
And--?
human
Commins swore most foully. I never thought the creature had such a command of language; but the skipper asked him if he would complain to the Commodore, when he calmed down rapidly into soft words and treacherous smiles. I tell you he is a plotter, and if anything goes wrong with the rebels--the National party, by compliment--he would sell us for a brass candlestick. Now, if you will dash in, cut him out as he lies at his moorings in the light of her friendship, I will not bring my fascination to bear upon her.
gpt
I'm afraid it's hopeless, said Frank, with a sigh;
human
You've got too much of the calculating machine in you, Frank--a defect we sailors don't possess. This is a matter not to be reasoned about I can feel in my marrow that the man is a scheming rascal.
gpt
Ship ahead!
human
A steamer! cried Captain Pardoe,