human
said he.
gpt
She is just what we want, a dandy for our purpose, but I'm afraid she's too big. While fitted with a propeller and rudder, and steers from a chicken-coop up front, she has no power. But she's a peach for size and width! he exclaimed, with breath no faster from running up the stairs three steps at a time.
human
How the devil are we going to get something to make her go?
gpt
How big a boat is it?
human
About a hundred and fifty feet long and twenty five or thirty beam. Not deep in the water, but she draws enough. She looks like an overgrown canal boat. But I brought the captain along; he can tell you more; do you want to see him? It's only a matter of getting power into her.
gpt
How much will it cost to get possession of her?
human
Well, that is another thing--the captain says that it's to be auctioned for the crew's wages. He hints that the owners may have gone to jail, or back to the mountains to resume their legitimate business as highwaymen.
gpt
Who is the captain you refer to?
human
Captain Marianna--I told you about him. He's the caretaker, and has been living on her--starved out, is an Italian, has a shipmaster's license from the Government. He has it hanging in the boat. I'm sure he will stay with us if we want him. He is downstairs now--want to see him? Then, coming toward me, he asked in an earnest undertone,
gpt
Can we raise the money to put some kind of power in her? I can root out the Becker crowd, clean my slate and then make a fortune with her if we can,
human
When is it to be sold?
gpt
The time is up now--I'd say to-morrow or next day.
human
I don't know, Hiram, it will be a pretty big lump to swallow. We don't know how high they will bid it up, but perhaps, with luck, we can manage it.