human
What say, Bob?
gpt
Didn't speak, sir,
human
You then, Dumlow?
gpt
No; not me, sir.
human
Well then, Barney, it was you, I said tetchily.
gpt
What do you want?
human
I never spoke, sir, said Barney, in an ill-used tone.
gpt
What do they want to say it was me for?
human
Cheer up!
gpt
Eh? Who spoke?
human
Friend,
gpt
Yes, what? Who is it?
human
Pst!
gpt
Who could that be?
human
Well, sir, when a man blows his words down through a slit in a tarpaulin--
gpt
You think it came down through the hole you cut?
human
Yes, sir, sure on it; but as I was a-saying, when a man blows his words down like that he might just as well be whistlin' a hornpipe for all you can tell who it is. But if I was put upon my oath afore a judge I should swear as it were Plum Duff.
gpt
What do you mean?
human
Well, sir, old Byled Salt Pork.
gpt
The cook?
human
That's him, sir.
gpt
But he whispered `Friend,'
human
Yes, and that's what bothered me. If it had been any one else it would ha' been all right, but one can't quite believe in a cook being your friend at any time. After what has taken place just lately I should say he was the worsest enemy we ever had.
gpt
No, no, I cried eagerly,
human
All right, sir; have it your own way. I'm willing.
gpt
Then we have one friend on deck.
human
Yes, sir, and s'pose he'll doctor the lot of 'em this next time and have us all up on deck again. Good luck to him. I hope he'll look sharp about it.
gpt
Hist! What's that?