"Out upon you, you vagabones! You've done mischief enough for one night, drat you, and if ye be not gone inside of half a minute I'll empty the slops on ye, that I will."
Benbow laughed.
"The family spirit!" he says under his breath to Joe. "Speak to her; don't tell her I'm here."
"Oh, Mistress Hind," says Joe in a mournful voice, "here's a welcome to a poor worn-out old mariner as you used to befriend."
"Who in the world are ye?" she asks.
"Who but Joe Punchard, ma'am, that went away for rolling a barrel, and has been a-rolling ever since."
"Ay, now I know your voice. Back like a bad penny, are ye? Come and see me tomorrow; I'm abed now."
"But I've brought a friend with me--another poor old mariner"--with a wink at Benbow--"who wants a night's lodging."
"Can he pay?" asks Mistress Hind.
"To be sure: his pockets are full of pieces of eight and other sound coin."