Presently one of the fellows got up from the table and came over to the place where I sat.
"Look 'ee, messmate," said he, seating himself upon the corner of the table beside me; "be ye English, French, Dutch, Portuguese, or what?" At first I was of a mind to deny being an Englishman, but on second thoughts I perceived that it would be useless to do so, there being the scum of so many peoples at that place that I could not hope to escape exposure.
"Why, shipmate," said I, "I'm an Englishman."
"Where do ye hail from?" said he.
"Over yonder," said I, pointing in the direction of the Lavinia.
"Did ye come aboard of the craft that ran into the harbor to-day?"
I nodded my head.
"Did ye come ashore without leave?"
I nodded my head again.
The others had all laid down their cards and were looking at us by this time, and I knew not what would have been the upshot of the matter had not the door just then been flung open and a great rough fellow come stumping into the place.