'Who will navigate de ship?' said Nakier.
'Why, Mr. Wise will,' I exclaimed, turning upon the boatman.
'Blowed, then, if I dew!' cried Abraham, recoiling. 'What! along with these—arter what's—'soides, I don't know nothen about longitude.'
'For mercy's sake, man, don't talk like that!' cried I. 'Miss Nielsen and I must be transhipped.'
'So must Oi!' said Abraham.
'And Oi!' hoarsely shouted Jacob.
'What ees it you say?' exclaimed Nakier, smiling.
'Why, that we all of us wish to get aboard another vessel,' said I, 'and leave this barque in your hands to do whatever you like with.'
There was a sharp muttering of 'No, no!' with some fierce shaking of heads on either side the table. Nakier made a commanding gesture and uttered a few words in his own tongue.
'We must not speakee any ship, lady, and you, sah, and you, Misser Vise, and Jacob, my mate. Cannot you tell why?'