“I think we ought to save a fellow-creetur from death when the risk of losing our own lives is no greater than the chance of saving them that’s in danger,” replied the Prince emphatically. “That’s my doctrine!”
“Your honor was cut out for a sailor; and you missed your calling, that you are not now in command of the finest ship afloat!” exclaimed Shakings, with enthusiasm.
“That’s all gammon, Mr. What’s-your-name,” said the Prince.
“My name is Shakings.”
“I should think it might be; but do you suppose all the good feeling and humanity in the world belong to sailors?” demanded the Prince. “That’s only the shakings of a bad logic.”
“Your honor proves that the sailors haven’t all the good feeling in the world.”
“If you are an American citizen, don’t call any man ‘your honor,’ unless it is the judge on the bench. You are getting things mixed up with them lords and dooks on this side of the ocean,” continued the Prince reproachfully. “I call myself an American Prince; and I don’t eat dirt before any man, and I don’t like to see other princes do it.”
“It is the first duty of an American sailor to be respectful to his betters; and I use the lingo I learned, because I am in the habit of doing so when I see a man do a handsome thing, as your honor always does,” said Shakings with a laugh.
“This is neither here nor there; only I don’t like to see any flunkying at any time. We are called upon to give some advice to the captain; though, in my opinion, he don’t need any.”
“I believe we are giving it; and I suppose he understands what we all think about it by this time,” continued Shakings.