human
Worse than ever, doctor.
gpt
Well, do you think the men will water that down?
human
Not they! One taste will be quite enough.
gpt
You don't think I need label those casks `Temptation,' do you?
human
Nay, sir. If you want to be honest to the lads, I should put `Pison' upon them in big letters.
gpt
I would, said the doctor dryly,
human
What have you put in it, sir?
gpt
Ah! that's my secret, Captain Chubb.
human
Well, I hope none of the lads will touch it; but it's sperrits, you know. Won't answer for it that if one of them was helping you to bottle up some of them things as we shall fish up when we gets into the Tropics, he wouldn't be trying a sip.
gpt
I shouldn't be surprised either, said the doctor,
human
Don't mean that, do you, sir?
gpt
Indeed, but I do,
human
Going too far, growled the skipper.
gpt
Look here, doctor; I've fell into all your ways like a man, and have helped to drill the chaps into handling your tackle, which is outside an able seaman's dooties; but I don't like this 'ere a bit.
human
I can't help that, said the doctor, bristling up.
gpt
I shall of course tell them that they must not touch this stuff, of which no doubt I shall use a great deal, and it will be in direct opposition to my orders if they give way to the temptation.
human
Right enough, said the skipper,
gpt
Then let them leave it alone,
human
That's right, sir, but maybe they won't. Don't mean to say that I am stupid over them, but when I get a good crew I like to take care of them. Here, I'm getting out of breath. Can't make long speeches. Cut it short.
gpt
Then say no more about it,
human
Nay, it won't do. Taking out a good crew of smart lads. Want to bring them all back, not leave none of them sewed up in their hammocks and sunk in the sea with a shot at their heels. Look here, sir; how many of them there kegs have you doctored?
gpt
All of them. Why, my good fellow, you don't think I have put poison in, do you?
human
Said you had.
gpt
Pooh! Nonsense! My boy Rodd and I tried experiments to see how nasty we could make the spirits without being dangerous. There's nothing there that would hurt a man; only you mustn't tell them so.
human
Oh-h-h! That's another pair of shoes, as the Frenchies say;
gpt
Thick-head! growled the doctor.
human
Did he fancy I was going to kill a man for meddling? Bah!
gpt
He did, uncle. He doesn't know you yet.
human
Well, I suppose not, my boy, but I am beginning to think that we are getting to know the crew pretty well by heart. Well, all we want now is a favourable wind, then we will hoist our sailing flag; and then--off.
gpt
For how long, uncle?
human
Ah, that's more than I can say, Rodd, my boy. We'll see what luck we have, and how the stores last out. We'll get started, and leave the rest.