Pew. Ah, that I have: you’ll see. I wanted—now you follow me—I wanted to keep square with Admiral Guinea. Why? says you. Well, put it that I know a fine young fellow when I sees him; and put it that I wish him well; and put it, for the sake of argyment, that the father of that lovely female’s in my power. Aha? Pew’s power! Why, in my ’ands he’s like this pocket ’andke’cher. Now, brave boy, do you see?
Kit. No, Pew, my head’s gone; I don’t see.
Pew. Why, cheer up, Commander! You want to marry this lovely female?
Kit. Ay, that I do; but I’m not fit for her, Pew; I’m a drunken dog, and I’m not fit for her.
Pew. Now, Cap’n, you’ll allow a old seaman to be judge: one as sailed with ’Awke and blessed Benb——with ’Awke and noble Anson. You’ve been open and above-board with me, and I’ll do the same by you: it being the case that you’re hard hit about a lovely woman, which many a time and oft it has happened to old Pew; and him with a feeling ’art that bleeds for you, Commander; why, look here: I’m that girl’s godfather; promised and vowed for her, I did; and I like you; and you’re the man for her; and, by the living Jacob, you shall splice!
Kit. David Pew, do you mean what you say?
Pew. Do I mean what I say? Does David Pew? Ask Admiral ’Awke! Ask old Admiral Byng in his coffin, where I laid him with these ’ands! Pew does, is what those naval commanders would reply. Mean it? I reckon so.
Kit. Then, shake hands. You’re an honest man, Pew—old Pew!—and I’ll make your fortune. But there’s something else, if I could keep the run of it. Oh, ah! But can you? That’s the point. Can you? don’t you see?
Pew. Can I? You leave that to me; I’ll bring you to your moorings; I’m the man that can, and I’m him that will. But only, look here, let’s understand each other. You’re a bold blade, ain’t you? You won’t stick at a trifle for a lovely female? You’ll back me up? You’re a man, ain’t you? a man, and you’ll see me through and through it, hey? Come; is that so? Are you fair and square and stick at nothing?
Kit. Me, Pew? I’ll go through fire and water.