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Chapter 9
“I’mvexed,sir,abouttheboat,”saysthecaptain.
“Therearesomeprettymengonetothebottom,”saidthestranger,“thatIwouldratherseeonthedrylandagainthanhalfascoreofboats.”
“Friendsofyours?”saidHoseason.
“Youhavenonesuchfriendsinyourcountry,”wasthereply.“Theywouldhavediedformelikedogs.”
“Well,sir,”saidthecaptain,stillwatchinghim,“therearemoremenintheworldthanboatstoputthemin.”
“Andthat’strue,too,”criedtheother,“andyeseemtobeagentlemanofgreatpenetration.”
“IhavebeeninFrance,sir,”saysthecaptain,sothatitwasplainhemeantmorebythewordsthanshoweduponthefaceofthem.
“Well,sir,”saystheother,“andsohasmanyaprettyman,forthematterofthat.”
“Nodoubt,sir,”saysthecaptain,“andfinecoats.”
“Oho!”saysthestranger,“isthathowthewindsets?”Andhelaidhishandquicklyonhispistols.
“Don’tbehasty,”saidthecaptain.“Don’tdoamischiefbeforeyeseetheneedofit.Ye’veaFrenchsoldier’scoatuponyourbackandaScotchtongueinyourhead,tobesure;butsohasmanyanhonestfellowinthesedays,andIdaresaynonetheworseofit.”
“So?”saidthegentlemaninthefinecoat:“areyeofthehonestparty?”(meaning,WasheaJacobite?foreachside,inthesesortofcivilbroils,takesthenameofhonestyforitsown).
“Why,sir,”repliedthecaptain,“Iamatrue-blueProtestant,andIthankGodforit.