‘The aforemast crew of the brig consisted of five seamen and a cook,’ said Tom. ‘They said that stuff there,’ and here he pointed to a piece of salt beef, ‘wasn’t sweet enough for such choice gums as theirs, so they stole the boat and made off—a new way of running from a ship, Mr. Cotton, eh?’—the old man-of-war’s man gravely inclined his wrinkled face—‘and left us too short-handed to enable me to go ashore with you now and visit Governor Glass. But he’ll come aboard, I hope?’
‘Vhere vhas you from, capt’n?’ inquired Peter Green.
‘The brig’s from the Mersey.’
‘How’s the Mersey a-looking?’ exclaimed Daly, with an expression of eagerness in his old eyes.
Peter Green thrust in again.? ‘Vhere vhas you bound?’
‘The cargo’s consigned to Cape Town.’
‘Dis vhas a leedle out of your road.’
‘Why, yes. But I’ve called to see Corporal Glass.’
‘Dere vhas t’ree shipwreckt men on der island,’ said Peter Green, ‘dot ve vhas glad to get rid of, und dot vhas very thankful to ship mit you.’
‘Call ’em two,’ said Hagan; ‘the sick man’s no use.’