human
All of us are shipmates, not a bunk is bare!
gpt
While we breathe we smite!
human
Now, take those pirates down to the Inn, continued the seaman.
gpt
There's something brewing down there, and it smells like hell-fire to me that's doing the boiling. Sim Hicks and his gang are whooping it up a mite too lively for comfort. That's microbe army number one. Then, there's Harry Beaver. He says they won't board you after your month is up.
human
May army number two quickly advance! I shall gladly and willingly surrender.
gpt
Hey? What's that? Where in the name of the ship's cook would you go, I'd like to know?
human
Right here.
gpt
Right where? You board with me?
human
Why not?
gpt
No, Mack. There ain't no sense in that, he declared, shaking his head emphatically.
human
I can keep soul and body together, but what I get on with would kill you. There's worse things in the world than Eadie's biscuits. No, I ain't going to listen to any such out-and-out murder as my cooking would commit.
gpt
Don't you think we could hire some one to come in and get our meals?
human
I'm 'feared that ain't possible. And even if it was it would cause more talk about town. There's enough gossip aboard the old salvation craft to sink her now, beam-fust.
gpt
Why should it cause talk for some one to take care of the house for us, and get our meals?
human
Why should any of this gab be floating round at all? There ain't no sense in it, but that don't stop it. Mack, --the Captain leaned eagerly toward his young friend,--
gpt
Did Harold Fox talk to you before he left?
human
No. Harold ain't the gossiping kind.
gpt
Some one has evidently been talking to you.
human
Ain't denying that, Mack. There's plenty of 'em in this burg that's ready to talk, and I'd have to be deaf, dumb, and blind, not to get some of the gab. The doctor told more than he ought, I guess.
gpt
It might pay him to take a few lessons in keeping his mouth closed,
human
I know, Mack. I reckon he was pumped pretty hard.
gpt
That doesn't excuse him for----
human
There, Mack, don't get mad. I was asking you for your own good. There's something mighty mysterious about that affair, and I thought if you'd tell me just what took place that we'd be able to do something before that gang of rough-necks down to the Inn get the bits in their teeth.
gpt
I don't see what the men at the Inn have to do with all this.
human
They ain't got much to do with it, except to use it for a lever to pry you loose from the fellers who do like you. There's real trouble of some sort being hatched down there, but I ain't sure just what it's like. Maybe there ain't no use my worrying you with these suspicions, but watch them skunks at the Inn, and don't give 'em the inside of the track. Cal'late you'd best go over to supper, and see if Harry's going to shut off the rations.