human
But does not the captain eat fish? he asked of a Maltese seaman, who had been acting the part of interpreter.
gpt
Has his servant come to purchase?
human
The captain does not want any fish, he is not on board to eat it, answered the Maltese carelessly.
gpt
I wish he were; for he must have been out in that storm yesterday, in one of your little feluccas, and Heaven knows what may have become of him.
human
Where has he gone, then? asked the pirate.
gpt
It would have been wiser to have trusted himself in your fine brig here, than in one of our native boats, which our seamen only know how to handle.
human
Oh! don't ask me, my friend; we seamen have no business to talk of our captain's doings, replied the Maltese, laughing.
gpt
But let me know where you have learned to speak the _lingua Franca_ so well. It is not often that I can understand ten words uttered by the fishermen of these parts.
human
I will reply to your question, friend, though you do not answer mine, returned Zappa.
gpt
I sailed as a boy to all parts of the coast of the Mediterranean, till my father died, and I came home and married. I have now a mother and sisters, besides a wife and family to support; so I can go roving no longer. And so your captain has gone on an expedition, has he? Have many people accompanied him, for I suppose he did not go alone?
human
As many went as he chose to take with him, replied the Maltese.
gpt
If he had ordered them, the whole ship's company would have gone.
human
A clear answer, friend. Does anybody else wish to buy more of my fish. Just ask them; for I must be off again to catch a fresh supply for the support of my young family, said the pirate carelessly.
gpt
And can you not tell me then where your captain has gone to?
human
I shall begin to think you have some reason for your curiosity, if you ask so many questions, observed the shrewd Maltese.
gpt
I was joking about our captain, and, if you want to see him, I can take you to him.
human
Is it so?
gpt
I care nothing about your captain, further than that I thought I might sell him some fish if I met him. But you can do me a service, by telling me if I am likely to fall in with any other ships of war, or merchantmen, with whom I may drive my trade?
human
Ah, padrone, I cannot assist you there either; for we seamen know little of what happens outside the ship's planks, returned the Maltese.
gpt
It is not often, though, one goes long in these seas without meeting with a cruiser of our own country, and as for merchantmen they are thick enough; but neither one nor the other are likely to come to such out-of-the-way islands as these are.
human
When will that man have finished selling his fish there? sang out the officer of the watch.
gpt
Manuel, there--Tell him, as soon as he's done, to shove off. We ought not to hold any communication with the natives, he muttered to himself, as he continued his quarter-deck walk.
human
These fellows are as sharp as knives, and, if we let them near us, they'll be ferreting out something they ought not to know to a certainty.
gpt
Ay, ay, sir, replied Manuel.
human
Come, Mister Fisherman, the officer says you must not be standing talking here all day, so I'll wish you farewell, and a good haul the next time you let down your nets.
gpt
Thanks, friend, I am generally tolerably successful in that way, answered the pretended fisherman.
human
Farewell, I shall come alongside again to-morrow, and I hope to find plenty of buyers. I live a little way down the coast, and shall sure to be back, so do not buy of any one else. Caralambro Boboti is my name. Don't forget it. Farewell, again--