A've seen such things, and done such things.' 'Tell us, father!' said Sylvia, greedy and breathless.
'Some on 'em is past telling,' he replied, 'an some is not to be had for t' asking, seeing as how they might bring a man into trouble.
But, as a said, if a had a fancy to reveal all as is on my mind a could make t' hair on your heads lift up your caps--well, we'll say an inch, at least.

Thy mother, lass, has heerd one or two on 'em.
Thou minds the story o' my ride on a whale's back, Bell?
That'll maybe be within this young fellow's comprehension o' t' danger; thou's heerd me tell it, hastn't ta ?' 'Yes,' said Bell; 'but it's a long time ago; when we was courting.' 'An' that's afore this young lass were born, as is a'most up to woman's estate.

But sin' those days a ha' been o'er busy to tell stories to my wife, an' as a'll warrant she's forgotten it; an' as Sylvia here niver heerd it, if yo'll fill your glass, Kinraid, yo' shall ha' t' benefit o't.
'A were a specksioneer mysel, though, after that, a rayther directed my talents int' t' smuggling branch o' my profession; but a were once a whaling aboord t' _Ainwell_ of Whitby.

An' we was anchored off t' coast o' Greenland one season, an' we'd getten a cargo o' seven whale; but our captain he were a keen-eyed chap, an' niver above doin' any man's work; an' once seein' a whale he throws himself int' a boat an' goes off to it, makin' signals to me, an' another specksioneer as were off for diversion i' another boat, for to come after him sharp.

Well, afore we comes alongside, captain had harpooned t' fish; an' says he, "Now, Robson, all ready! give into her again when she comes to t' top;" an' I stands up, right leg foremost, harpoon all ready, as soon as iver I cotched a sight o' t' whale, but niver a fin could a see.