"So should I," said Jack.
"I wish you could think of some other sort of gift," suggested Willis; "what do you say to a couple of seal or shark skins?"
"Won't do," replied both Fritz and Jack in one voice. "What objections have you to the others?"
"Well, you are in some sort consigned to my care; I should like you to return to your parents with your own skins entire."
"Then you think it is a terrific affair to kill a tiger or two? You have been accustomed to the sea, and fancy landsmen are good for nothing but shooting crows and wild-cats; that is a mistake, however; we are familiar with larger game."
"Shiver my timbers! do you call bears and tigers game?"
"I am afraid, Willis, you are a bit of a milksop."
"Avast heaving there, Master Fritz! as it is, I am a half-hanged man already, so death has now no terrors Dov me; it is the first pang that is most felt."
"Yes; but in the case of tigers, they never give you time to feel a second pang; miss your aim, and it is all over with you."
"True; and therefore I wish you would give up the project. As for myself, I would face anything with a four-pounder, but rifle practice on board ship is mostly confined to the marines; it is not that, however, I am troubled about; I am certain your worthy father would never forgive me if I countenance this project."