"Fifteen?
If I had half-a-dozen such lads as you, I would make knights of them before I died.

Eh, Yeo ?" "He'll do," said Yeo; "he will make a brave gamecock in a year or two, if he dares ruffle up so early at a tough old hen-master like the captain." At which there was a general laugh, in which Oxenham joined as loudly as any, and then bade the lad tell him why he was so keen after the horn.
"Because," said he, looking up boldly, "I want to go to sea.

I want to see the Indies.

I want to fight the Spaniards.

Though I am a gentleman's son, I'd a deal liever be a cabin-boy on board your ship." And the lad, having hurried out his say fiercely enough, dropped his head again.
"And you shall," cried Oxenham, with a great oath; "and take a galloon, and dine off carbonadoed Dons.