“Well, but now we must hold a council of war. Are we to run up the coast, or to shape our course direct for Palermo?”
“Course direct, and we shall take nothing, that is certain,” said Gascoigne.
“If we take nothing we shall make no prize-money,” continued Oxbelly.
“If we make no prize-money the men will be discontented,” said Easy.
“If no ab noting to do—it will be damned ’tupid,” continued Mesty.
“Now then the other side of the question. If we steer for Palermo, we shall be sooner there and sooner home.”
“To which I reply,” said Gascoigne, “that the shorter the cruise is, the less I shall have of your company.”
“And I shall have to sleep with Mrs Oxbelly,” continued Oxbelly.
“Hab fine ship, fine gun, fine men, and do noting,” cried Mesty. “By de power, I no like dat, Massa Easy.”
“You want eight months of coming of age, Jack,” observed Gascoigne.