human
Maybe you haven't guessed it, the Ancient Mariner said;
gpt
You mean . . . ?
human
Just that. There isn't any treasure. There never was one--any more than the Lion's Head, the longboat, or the bearings unnamable.
gpt
Well, you got me, sir. You sure got me to believin' in that treasure.
human
And I acknowledge, steward, that I am pleased to hear it. It shows that I have not lost my cunning when I can deceive a man like you. It is easy to deceive men whose souls know only money. But you are different. You don't live and breathe for money. I've watched you with your dog. I've watched you with your nigger boy. I've watched you with your beer. And just because your heart isn't set on a great buried treasure of gold, you are harder to deceive. Those whose hearts are set, are most astonishingly easy to fool. They are of cheap kidney. Offer them a proposition of one hundred dollars for one, and they are like hungry pike snapping at the bait. Offer a thousand dollars for one, or ten thousand for one, and they become sheer lunatic. I am an old man, a very old man. I like to live until I die--I mean, to live decently, comfortably, respectably.
gpt
And you like the voyages long? I begin to see, sir. Just as they're getting near to where the treasure ain't, a little accident like the loss of their water-supply sends them into port and out again to start hunting all over.
human
There was the _Emma Louisa_. I kept her on the long voyage over eighteen months with water accidents and similar accidents. And, besides, they kept me in one of the best hotels in New Orleans for over four months before the voyage began, and advanced to me handsomely, yes, bravely, handsomely.
gpt
But tell me more, sir; I am most interested, Dag Daughtry concluded his simple matter of the beer.
human
It's a good game. I might learn it for my old age, though I give you my word, sir, I won't butt in on your game. I wouldn't tackle it until you are gone, sir, good game that it is.
gpt
First of all, you must pick out men with money--with plenty of money, so that any loss will not hurt them. Also, they are easier to interest--
human
Because they are more hoggish, the steward interrupted.
gpt
The more money they've got the more they want.
human
Precisely, the Ancient Mariner continued.
gpt
And, at least, they are repaid. Such sea-voyages are excellent for their health. After all, I do them neither hurt nor harm, but only good, and add to their health.
human
But them scars--that gouge out of your face--all them fingers missing on your hand? You never got them in the fight in the longboat when the bo's'n carved you up. Then where in Sam Hill did you get the them? Wait a minute, sir. Let me fill your glass first.