Duke: And does n't we set around o' nights and swap the sights we seen—mermaids and sea-serpents and such? Did yer jest once ever hear Red Joe tell what he 's seen? Yer can sink me stern up with all lights burnin', if I think the feller 's ever been beyond the Isle o' Dogs.
Captain: What 's bitin' yer, Duke?
Duke: It 's jest this. Red Joe ain 't no pirate. He 's a landlubber.
(He says this as you or I might call a man a snake.)
Captain: (And now a great light comes to him. He is proud of his swift perception. He leans across the table to share his secret with Patch.) I seem ter get what Duke means. He 's hintin', Patch, that Red Joe ain 't a pirate.
Patch: If he ain 't a pirate, what is he? I asks yer that.
Duke: (as he brings down his fist for emphasis). He 's a bloomin' spy.
Captain: A spy! (He gives a long-drawn whistle as the truth breaks on him.)
Patch: If I thought he was a spy, I 'd ketch him right here with me dirk. I hates spies worse 'n empty bottles.
Captain: I 'd scrape him with me hook.