"We picked him up a short distance from here," the old seaman replied. "He had jugged two boys belongin' to our ship, countin' on sellin' 'em to British whalers after the Essex left port."
"I know him for a villain, an' have had it in mind that he spent his time shanghaing sailors, but never could bring it home to him. His game doesn't stop at Yankees; for when there are none in port he'll pick up anybody, so it's said."
"Then you have no objections to carryin' him aboard the ship?"
"What will you do with him there?"
"Let the captain settle his hash. We've got good proof of what he's been up to, an' I promise you he won't be treated any too gently."
"I'll carry you an' him out to the ship for nothing, if by so doing we can rid ourselves of the villain."
"I can't say whether the captain will take him out of your way; but you may be certain it'll go hard with him."
Until some time later Phil and I were surprised at seeing the boatman scurrying around as if we had been commissioned officers who promised a big fee; and he it was who tossed Benson on board the small boat with no more ceremony than he would have used in handling a bundle of merchandise.
In a twinkling we were hailed by the sentry on board the Essex, so rapidly did the boatman work his oars, and Master Hackett gave such an account of his party as gained us permission to come up the gangway ladder.