Two or three chaps as makes up their mind for it will poison a whole crew in no time." "You speak as if you knew all about it." "I know a good deal about it," the sergeant replied gravely.

"It's a tale as there ain't many as knows; but you are a sort of lad as one can trust, and so I don't mind if I tell it you.

Though you wouldn't think it, I have sailed under the black flag myself." "You, sergeant!" Jack exclaimed incredulously; "do you mean to say you have been a pirate ?" "Just that, my boy.

I don't look like it, do I?
There ain't nothing buccaneering about my cut.

I looks just what I am, a tough old sergeant in a queen's regiment; but for all that I have been a pirate.