"Me belly well, muchee sank you.

Me fetchee chow-chow number one chop when you wauchee." "Aye, that's roight, me joker; if ye say that I gits me groob whin I wants it, we'll be A1 friends an' have no squalls atwane us," said my friend the boatswain as the Chinaman passed along the deck to the forward deck-house, entering the galley as if he knew the way well, Tim adding as he got out of hearing: "The ig'rant haythin, he nivir can spake me name roight; allers callin' me `looney,' jist as if I wor a blissid omahdawn loike himsilf!" Meanwhile, the other men who had come on board, most of whom were fine strapping fellows, as if Captain Gillespie had selected them carefully, scrambled past us to their quarters in the forecastle, the boatswain scanning them keenly with his sharp seaman's eye as they went by, and commenting on their appearance; some being sturdy and having decent chests of clothes, which they lugged after them, while others looked lean and half starved, carrying their few belongings in bags, which showed that they had little or nothing beyond what they stood up in, and were but ill provided for the long voyage we were about to take.
Tim shook his head at these latter.
"Begorra, thay're as lane as Job's toorkey, an' that wor all skin an' faythers," he muttered.

"Thay'll pick up, though, whin they gits out to say an' has a good bit av salt joonk insoide av 'em, instid av the poor livin' thay've hid av late." As soon as the men had all disappeared under the forecastle, leaving room for us to pass along the deck, the boatswain stepped up to the captain to present himself; and I followed his example.
"Hi, Rooney, man," said Captain Gillespie accosting Tim, "I'm glad you haven't deserted us; though I knew it before, for I heard your voice answering my hail." "No, cap'en, I'll niver desart the ould ship so long's ye're the skipper," replied Tim.

"It's goin' on foive years now since we've sailed togither." "Aye, close on that; and I hope we'll sail together for five years more, man, for I don't wish a better bosun," responded the other pleasantly.
"But, who's that you've got in tow ?" "Misther Gray-ham, sorr," said Tim, shoving me more in front as I took off my cap and bowed.
"Our new apprentice," explained Mr Mackay from the top of the poop ladder as he caught sight of me.

"He came aboard just before we left the docks." "Ah, I thought I didn't see him this morning," observed the captain.
And turning to me he said: "I've read a very good letter the owners got about you, youngster, and if you only do your duty and obey orders I'll try to make a sailor out of you, and we'll get on very well together; but, mind you, if you try any tricks with me, you'll find me a scorcher." "Oh, I think he'll turn out all right," put in Mr Mackay as I blushed and stood before the old fellow not knowing what to say, he looked so stern at me when he spoke.