“No more did I, Grampus; it was very nearly all up with us.”
“Ah! my boy,” said Bumpus, becoming suddenly very grave, “you’ve no notion how near it was all up with me. Why, you won’t believe it—I was all but scragged.”
“Dear me! what is scragged?” inquired Alice.
“You don’t mean for to say you don’t know?” exclaimed Bumpus.
“No, indeed, I don’t.”
“Why, it means bein’ hanged. I was so near hanged, just a day or two back, that I’ve had an ’orrible pain in my neck ever since at the bare thought of it! But who’s your friend?” said Bumpus, turning to the boatswain.
“Oh! I forgot him—he’s the boatswain of the Talisman. Dick Price, this is my friend, John Bumpus.”
“Glad to know you, Dick Price.”
“Same to you, and luck, John Bumpus.”
The two sea-dogs joined their enormous palms, and shook hands cordially.