The question is altogether private, and can not in any way bring you into trouble.

Whereas, if you find out anything, you will be a made man, and live like a gentleman.

You hate the lawyers?
All the honest seamen do.

I am not a lawyer, and my object is to fire a broadside into them.

Accept this guinea; and if it would suit you to have one every week for the rest of your life, I will pledge you my word for it, paid in advance, if you only find out for me one little fact, of which I have no doubt whatever, that a merchant ship was cast away near this Head just about nineteen years agone." That ancient sailor was accustomed to surprises; but this, as he said, when he came to think of it, made a clean sweep of him, fore and aft.
Nevertheless, he had the presence of mind required for pocketing the guinea, which was too good for his tobacco-box; and as one thing at a time was quite enough upon his mind, he probed away slowly, to be sure there was no hole.