"'A fine, soft time, lads!' says Skinflint Sam. 'I 'low I'll go out with the Ragged Run crew.'
"'Skipper Sam,' says Bad-Weather Tom, 'you're too old a man t' be on the ice.'
"'Ay,' says Sam; 'but I wants t' bludgeon another swile afore I dies.'
"'But you creaks, man!'
"'Ah, well,' says Sam; 'I'll show the lads I'm able t' haul a swile ashore.'
"'Small hope for such as you on a movin' floe!'
"'Last time, Tom,' says Sam.
"'Last time, true enough,' says Tom, 'if that ice starts t' sea with a breeze o' wind behind!'
"'Oh, well, Tom,' says Sam, 'I'll creak along out an' take my chances. If the wind comes up I'll be as spry as I'm able.'