And he said, 'Why, you see, sir, he is my messmate, for one thing, and a seaman that knows his work; and then he has been well eddycated, and he knows when to hold his tongue, does Sam.' "I asked Cooper why he was so fond of Welch.

He only grunted in an uneasy way at first; but, when I pressed for a reply, he let out two words--'Capital company'; and got away from me.
"Their friendship, though often roughly expressed, is really a tender and touching sentiment.

I think either of these sailors would bare his back and take a dozen lashes in place of his messmate.

I too once thought I had made such a friend.

Eheu! "Both Cooper and Welch seem, by their talk, to consider the ship a living creature.