human
Adam! said I, my voice strangely thin and far away,
gpt
Adam Penfeather!
human
Why, Martin, said he.
gpt
Why, comrade! Lord love you, Martin, are ye awake at last? Here you've lain these twelve hours like a dead man and small wonder, what with your wound--
human
So you have come--at last, Adam?
gpt
And in good time, shipmate!
human
Where am I?
gpt
Safe aboard my ship, the _Deliverance_.
human
Aye, Martin, and should have very properly destroyed every rogue aboard but for my lady--
gpt
My lady? said I, sitting up.
human
My lady--Joan?
gpt
Aye, verily--
human
Then 'tis true--all true! said I, and fell a-trembling.
gpt
My lady's here?
human
She is, Martin, and more's the pity. For look'ee, having boarded yon devil's craft and cut down such as resisted, I was very properly for hanging such as remained, when down on me comes my lady and is for carrying the rogues to trial, the which is but vain labour and loss o' time, since each and all of my twenty and three prisoners is bound to swing soon or late, as I told her, but, 'No matter, Sir Adam,' says she. 'Law is law, Sir Adam,' quo' she. When cometh Godby, running, to say the cursed ship was afire, and coming to the main hatchway, I beheld, half-strangled in the smoke, yourself, shipmate, and a woman in your arms--
gpt
Ha--'twas Joanna! said I, leaping in the bed.
human
What of her, Adam--what of her, man?
gpt
A fine woman, I'll allow, Martin, and by her looks a lady of quality--
human
Say a demon rather--a very she-devil!
gpt
Why, as you will, Martin, as you will! said he.
human
Only rest you, lest the fever take you again.
gpt
How was I wounded, then?
human
A flying splinter in the head, Martin, so Surgeon Penruddock says. But then you have a marvellous stout skull, as I do know, shipmate.
gpt
What ha' you done with Joanna--where is she?
human
Content you, Martin, she is safe enough and well cared for; you shall see her anon, said he, stroking his long chin and viewing me with his quick, keen eyes,
gpt
But first you shall eat!