He come to be the cook he was because he was a big eater.

We was wrecked once, 'n' had to live three days on old shoes 'n' that sort 'f truck.

Wal, this nigger was so darned ravenous he ate up a pair o' long boots in the time it took me to git down one 'f the straps." "Ate up a pair of boots!" exclaimed Aunt Maria, amazed and almost incredulous.
"Yes, by thunder!" insisted the captain, "grease, nails, 'n' all.

An' then went at the patent leather forepiece 'f his cap." "What privations!" said Aunt Maria, staring fit to burst her spectacles.
"Oh, that's nothin'," chuckled Glover.

"I'll tell ye suthin' some time that 'll astonish ye.