"Was there one tall man, with a fair beard," ses the skipper, getting more and more excited.
"Yessir," ses Bill, in a surprised sort o' voice.
"Same gang," ses the skipper. "Same gang as knocked Mr. Fingall about, you may depend upon it. Mr. Fingall, it's a mercy for you you didn't get your face blacked too."
I thought the mate would ha' burst. I can't understand how any man could swell as he swelled without bursting.
"I don't believe a word of it," he ses, at last.
"Why not?" ses the skipper, sharply.
"Well, I don't," ses the mate, his voice trembling with passion. "I 'ave my reasons."
"I s'pose you don't think these two poor fellows went and blacked themselves for fun, do you?" ses the skipper.
The mate couldn't answer.
"And then went and knocked themselves about for more fun?" says the skipper, very sarcastic.