human
Did they fall in with him, do you know?
gpt
Can you catch a sunbeam? said the first speaker.
human
She must be a fast craft to come up with him. They say nothing can catch him.
gpt
What, then, you learnt who your friend was?
human
Oh, yes! we heard a good deal about him in Zante. He is the very terror of all honest, quiet-going traders in those parts.
gpt
And who is this formidable, light-heeled gentleman, may I ask?
human
No other than that daring devil, Zappa, said the merchant.
gpt
You have heard of him, doubtless?
human
I think I have somewhere heard his name mentioned, said the stranger.
gpt
But has he already established so terrific a name for himself? You described him as very young.
human
Ay, but old in crime. A man who murders all his captives, and sinks every ship he plunders, soon gets his name up in the world. It is one of the various methods to gain notoriety. Each man to his taste.
gpt
You are right, my friend, said the stranger, stretching out his arms and yawning;
human
You joke merrily on the subject; but it is no laughing matter to those who have been robbed and nearly murdered, said the Greek merchant.
gpt
I only wish I could get the villains in my power, I would hang them all without mercy, as high as Haman.
human
I dare say you do, said the stranger, smiling.
gpt
Such is but a natural impulse. Yet, as I have not suffered, I cannot enter quite so warmly into your feelings. However, I am grateful to you for your account; and I shall take very good care to keep out of the way of your friend Zappa. May I ask, by the way, the appearance and name of the vessel commanded by this renowned cut-throat?
human
Certainly, said the merchant,
gpt
It is something to know what she is like; and, if we cannot run from her, we must fight her, returned the stranger.
human
However, before we part, let me assure you that I shall be most happy to be of any service to you in my power. When do you again sail from hence?
gpt
In a few days our mission here will be concluded. We then return to our beloved Greece,
human
What! and run the risk of being chased by the _Sea Hawk_, and of falling into the hands of that rogue, Zappa! exclaimed the stranger.
gpt
However, as, by the law of chances, you could scarcely encounter him twice, I should much like to accompany you, for I should then consider myself safe from him. By what vessel do you go?
human
A Venetian merchant schooner, the _Floriana_. She sails hence in four days; and, as she has a rich cargo, she is well-armed and has plenty of men--so we need not fear Zappa or any other pirate.
gpt
Just as I should wish. I will look out for her, depend on it, exclaimed the stranger, quickly.
human
But I must, for the present, wish you farewell, gentlemen. I have an appointment, and I have already overstayed my time.
gpt
He seems an honestly fair spoken gentleman, said one of the young Greeks to his father.
human
He will be a great addition to our society on board.
gpt
I am not quite so certain of that, replied the more sagacious merchant.
human
Fair spoken he is without doubt; but for honesty, why you know the safe rule is to look upon all men as knaves till you find them otherwise. Therefore, my sons, never consider a stranger honest, or you may discover, when too late, that he is a rogue. Now, though it is doubtless fancy, I cannot help thinking that our friend there bears a very striking resemblance to the pirate Zappa.
gpt
Give a dog a bad name, it is sure to stick by him.