human
That's the brig, isn't it, yonder?
gpt
Yes, sir, that's she, and they seem to have got her fast now; but she wouldn't hurt us if she broke from her moorings, for the wind's veered a point or two, and it would take her clear away.
human
Pardon! And he found himself thinking that if the vessel had been swept up against the schooner when her anchor was dragging, it would have been no use for her crew to cry
gpt
Pardon!
human
Well, sir, what do you make of her?
gpt
Can't see much, said Rodd,
human
Yes, sir, and she can sail well too--for a brig--but I should set her down as being too heavily sparred, and likely to be top-heavy. If she was going along full sail, and was caught in such a squall as we had yesterday, and laid flat like the schooner, I don't believe she'd lift again. Anyhow, I shouldn't like to be aboard.
gpt
No, it wouldn't be pleasant, said Rodd;
human
No wonder, sir. You want that there long water-glass, as you called it--that there one you showed me as you was unpacking it. Don't you remember? Like a big pipe with panes of glass in it as you said you could stick down into the sea and make out what was on the bottom. You want that now.
gpt
No, sir; can't make it out now; but I see it plainly enough this morning, covered with a lashed down tarpaulin as if to hide it, and I knew at once. I can almost tell a big gun by the smell--I mean feel it like, if it's there.
human
But do you still think she's a privateer?
gpt
Well, I don't say she is, sir, for that's a thing you can't tell for sartain unless you see a ship's papers; but she is something of that kind, I should say, and--Ay, ay, sir!--There's the skipper hailed me, sir. I say, Mr Rodd, sir, do mind you don't get wet!