human
British man-of-war, he grunted.
gpt
That's bad.
human
Why?
gpt
You don't know, youngster?
human
No. What do you mean?
gpt
Means that I've got as smart a picked crew as a man need wish to have.
human
To be sure, said Rodd;
gpt
Well, said the skipper gruffly,
human
I don't want to lose them; that's all.
gpt
No more wind, and not likely to be.
human
Well, we don't want any more, do we?
gpt
Ay; if a good breeze would spring up I'd show them a clean pair of heels.
human
Oh, I see, cried Rodd excitedly.
gpt
You think that they would press some of our men and take them aboard. Oh, Captain Chubb, you mustn't let them do that!
human
I don't mean to, my lad, if I can help it. I hadn't reckoned on seeing one of them down here.
gpt
Uncle thinks they're after the slavers.
human
Nay, my lad, I don't think that. More likely after one of the palm-oil craft to see if they can pick up a few men out of them.
gpt
Oh, that's a false alarm, captain, said Uncle Paul.
human
My papers and the work we're upon with a grant from Government would clear us.
gpt
Ought to, sir, said the skipper gruffly,
human
Hadn't you better risk the consequences, Captain Chubb?
gpt
Here you, Rodney, mind what you are saying, sir! It's the duty of every Englishman to respect the law, and I feel perfectly certain, Captain Chubb, that there is nothing to fear in that direction, so go quietly on as you are, unless you are obliged to heave to. Seeing how little wind there is, and how distant that sloop, I think it's very probable that she'll not overhaul us before it grows dark.
human
Oh, uncle, cried Rodd,
gpt
Well, how long will it be before it's dark afterwards? cried Uncle Paul.
human
You forget that we are in the tropics, and how short a time it is between sunset and darkness.
gpt
Yes, sir; you are quite right there, said the skipper,