human
There is only this lad to deal with, said I.
gpt
Believe me when I assure you that you will never hear more of those five seamen, nor of Don Lazarillo and the steward. Captain Dopping, the master of this schooner, you yourself shot dead. As for me--But for myself I will say no more than this: I hold that your daughter was barbarously used. The men who stole her, and who drove her mad by stealing her, were scoundrels whom I would have shot down as I would shoot down a brace of mad mongrels, sooner than have suffered them, as foreigners, to lay violent hands upon a countrywoman of mine, and upon so good and sweet a young lady as your daughter. My one desire throughout has been to make all the amends in my power. I was innocently betrayed into this villainous business, and I trust, Captain Noble, that the theory of reparation I have endeavored to work out establishes me in your mind as a man in whose keeping the tragic secret of this adventure is absolutely safe.
human
And now about the boy, said I.
gpt
It occurs to me that you might have influence to procure him some situation on board a man-of-war, going abroad or at present abroad.
human
A likely lad, Mr. Portlack. Does he speak English?
gpt
Do you speak English, Tom?
human
Nuffin but English, de Lord be praised!
gpt
You have behaved very honestly, said he,
human
I'll be dere, sah.
gpt
It will give me time to think, said Captain Noble in an aside to me.
human
And come you and dine with us this evening, Mr. Portlack, will you? I glanced down at my clothes.
gpt
Never mind about your dress, he continued.
human
We shall expect you at half-past six o'clock.