I'd sink them before they got alongside." "Humph! Well, you're pretty bloodthirsty for your time of life, young gentleman," said the captain quietly.
"No, sir," I replied in confusion; "but I was with Mr Barkins and Mr Smith, and nearly killed by these people, and yesterday I saw what they had done aboard that barque." "There?
So you did, my lad.

Well," he said, "what more have you got to suggest ?" "I think that's all, sir," I said, beginning to grow confused again, for my enthusiasm was dying out before his cool, matter-of-fact way of taking matters.
"Then we will bring this meeting to an end, Mr Herrick." "Yes, sir," I said dolefully, for I was wishing intensely that I had not said a word.

"Shall I go now ?" "If you please, Mr Herrick." "Good-night, sir." "Good-night, Mr Herrick; and the sooner you are in your berth the better." "Yes, sir," I said; and then to myself, as I reached the door, "and I wish I had gone there at once, instead of stopping on deck." "Stop!" I turned with the door-handle in my fingers.
"You had better not say anything about the communication you have made to me--I mean to your messmates." "No, sir, I will not," I replied.
"Nor to any one else, least of all to that Chinaman." "Oh no, sir, I'll be careful." He nodded, and I slipped out, feeling, to use an old expression, "horrid." "Tell anybody about what a stupid donkey I've been," I said angrily--"likely." Then to myself, as soon as I was past the marine sentry, "Why, it would be nuts for Tanner and Blacksmith, and they'd go on cracking them for ever.

There was I all red-hot with what I thought was a good thing, and he was just like a cold codfish laughing at me." I could not help smiling at the absurdity of my idea, for I recalled that I had never seen a cold codfish laughing.
I had no more time for musing then, for I received a sharp slap on the back from Barkins.
"Never mind, Gnat; we all get it some time." I saw that Smith was hurrying up, for I caught sight of him by the light of one of the swinging lanterns, and had to be on my guard.
I did not want to deceive my messmates nor to be untruthful, but I could not open my heart to them and tell them all that had passed.
"What cheer, messmet ?" whispered Smith.

"Had a wigging ?" I nodded my head sulkily.
"What had you been up to?
Skipper had you into the cabin, didn't he ?" "Let him alone, will you," cried Barkins.