"Oh, you paid ten shillings as well, did you?
And what the thunder and lightning have you tried to steal a passage for when you'd money to pay for one ?" "I didn't mean to steal a passage, sir," said I, "and I don't mean it now.

I tried to get taken as a sailor-lad, but they seemed to expect me to have been to sea before, and to have some papers to show it.

So I stowed away, and I'm very sorry if you think it dishonest, sir, but I meant to work for my passage, and I will work hard." "And what do you suppose an ignorant land-lubber like you can do, as we don't happen to be short of public speakers ?" "I thought I could clean things, and carry coals, and do rough work till I learnt my trade, sir." "Can you climb ?" said the captain, looking at the rigging.
"I've never climbed on board ship, sir, but I was good at athletics when I was at school, and I believe I could." "We'll see," said the captain significantly.

"And supposing you're of no use, and we kick ye overboard, can ye swim ?" "Yes, sir, and dive.

I'm at home in the water." "It's more than you are _on_ it.