My father he told me the tale time an' again, an' this is the way 'twuz." "For the wan hundredth time," put in Long Jack under his breath "Ben Ireson he was skipper o' the Betty, young feller, comin' home frum the Banks--that was before the war of 1812, but jestice is jestice at all times.

They fund the Active o' Portland, an' Gibbons o' that town he was her skipper; they fund her leakin' off Cape Cod Light.

There was a terr'ble gale on, an' they was gettin' the Betty home 's fast as they could craowd her.

Well, Ireson he said there warn't any sense to reskin' a boat in that sea; the men they wouldn't hev it; and he laid it before them to stay by the Active till the sea run daown a piece.
They wouldn't hev that either, hangin' araound the Cape in any sech weather, leak or no leak.

They jest up stays'l an' quit, nat'rally takin' Ireson with 'em.