Leastwise I seemed ter know whut I wus about when I cum up.

I don't remember how I got ther; furst I knew I wus slushin' 'round in the water, a tryin' ter keep afloat.

It wus so blame dark I cudn't see nuthin', but sumhow I got grip on a hawser, an' hung on till I got back 'nough strength ter clime on board.

I knew this wa'n't my ship, so I just lay quiet awhile, figurin' out whar I wus." "Yer English ?" "Born in Bristol, sir, but I wus workin' on the _Caroline_--she's a Colony schooner, in the fish trade." "Sailor ?" "At sea since I wus twelve.

What's this yere bark--Dutch, ain't she ?" "Once upon a time; just now we are flying whatever flag cumes handy.
We ain't got no prejudice in flags." "Is thet a gun forrard, covered with taupalin ?" "Yes, an' yer might find another aft, if yer looked fer it.