THE GUNNER (halting, surprised)
Eh? I didn’t mean you, missus. I mean this fine lad on his back here. (He goes to Robert, holds the lantern near him and stares at him.) Aye! A fine, lusty young man! I thought so. You give me a bit of a tousle, lad. It was you put this cut over my eye.
ROBERT
I’d put another over the other one if I——
THE GUNNER (laughing harshly)
Aye; I’d trust ye for that. I did a little to your own head. (He stoops and feels the top of Robert’s head as he speaks.) I give ye a knob there to handle ye by.
(He laughs and gives a pat of his heavy hand to the injury.)
ROBERT (wincing)
Don’t!
THE GUNNER (repeating the pat)
I put a fine knob on ye.
ROBERT (in pain)
Cut my throat and be done with it if that’s what you came for.
THE GUNNER (straightening up)
The captain’s comin’ to talk to ye.
LYDIA
Our captain?
THE GUNNER (laughing)
I guess he’s your captain now, missus. His honor, Captain Bimbo.
LYDIA
The pirate captain?