I could but stop, no matter what I might hear.
"Hello, mister," he said, "got any tobacco ?" I walked up to him.

I took hold of him by the lapel of his coat.

It was a dirty lapel, as I remember even now, but I didn't mind that.
"Look here," said I."Tell me the truth, I can bear it.

Was that vessel wrecked ?" The man looked at me a little queerly.

I could not exactly interpret his expression.
"You're sure you kin bear it ?" said he.
"Yes," said I, my hand trembling as I held his coat.
"Well, then," said he, "it's mor'n I kin," and he jerked his coat out of my hand, and sprang away.