human
My name is Noble--Captain Noble, said he.
gpt
Are you Mr. Portlack?
human
I am,
gpt
Give me your hand, he exclaimed. He grasped and squeezed my fingers almost bloodless, letting go my hand with a vehement jerk as though he threw it from him.
human
I thank you for bringing my daughter home, sir. Her mother thanks you for your attention to her child. You have acted the part of a gentleman, of a sailor, of a man of honor. I thank you again, and yet again. Then, glancing along the decks of the vessel, he added,
gpt
So _this_ is the blasted schooner, hey?
human
I trust Miss Noble has told you, said I,
gpt
Yes, he answered, still continuing to examine the vessel curiously, now looking aloft, now forward, now aft, as though he could not take too complete a view of the craft.
human
Yes, she told me. The scoundrels! Thank God! I shot one of 'em. I would have shot 'em all, but the ruffians stood over me and my son with naked cutlasses and loaded pistols.
gpt
I hope they did not burn the house down?
human
No, we extinguished the fire. Fifteen hundred pounds' worth of damage--that's all! He made a cut through the air with his stick, exclaiming:
gpt
The rogues! the villains! They took me unaware. So many of them, too! How many were there?
human
Two Spaniards, said I,
gpt
Seven! he cried.
human
Seven against two! for as to my coachman and footman--what do you think? They drove away--by heavens! they lashed the horses and bolted! I should like to go below; I should like to examine this blackguard craft. A fine, stout vessel all the same. A pirate in her day, no doubt.