“Now, then, what’s up?” growled Oakum.
“I tell you, sah, reckly, but first must ’fess somefin to you.”
“Go ahead then, my hearty,” was the reply.
“Well, sah, while I busy all de mornin’ in my galley, I see de beauful lump of silber brought up ober and ober again, and I see Mass’ Jone and noder sailor busy knock off de shell and tuff, and frow him all of a heap.”
“Yes, and there it lies now on deck,” said Sam, “instead of being shyed overboard. What o’ that?”
“Well, sah, no able to sleep ’cause of dat, and so I get out of my hammock and creep all soft like on deck.”
“What, did you get some of the bits o’ shell in your blanket.”
“No, sah, no,” chuckled ’Pollo. “You know me, Mass’ Sam Oakum, sah, we berry ole friend, and go froo deal ob trouble togedder.”
“Well, yes, ’Pollo, old man, we have had a hardship or two, but what o’ that?”
“Why, sah, I ’fess eberything to you, sah, and tell you all.”