“I was so hungry,” said the little fellow, with a bright smile.
“Eat away, then,” said Jack; “but I say, arn’t you frightened?”
“Not now,” said the boy. “I was when those sailors came and woke me up.”
“Course you would be,” said Jack. “Why, it scared me. But arn’t you frightened now?”
The boy shook his head and took another bite at the hard biscuit.
“Why arn’t you frightened?” said Jack, after a good long stare at the biscuit-nibbler, as he called his companion.
“Because you’re here,” said the boy.
“Yes, I’m here, o’ course,” said Jack, staring hard as if puzzled. “I’m a-sitting close to yer; but that don’t make no difference because I’m a pressed man.”
“You’ll take care of me and see that no one hurts me,” said the boy, confidently.
“Oh, o’ course,” said Jack, scratching his head. “That is, while I’m here, but what’s going to become of you when I’m gone?”