They were in earnest conversation, and did not perceive the company of Newton, who waited a little while, holding the door ajar, as he contemplated the group.
One of the pensioners was speaking, and continued:--"May be, or may not be, Mr Forster, that's _dubersome_; but if so be as how he is alive, why you'll see him soon, that's sartain--take my word for it.

A good son, as you say he was, as soon as he can get over the side of the ship, always bears up for his parent's house.

With the help of your barnacles, I worked my way clean through the whole yarn, and I seed the report of killed and wounded; and I'll take my affidavy that there warn't an officer in the fleet as lost the number of his mess in that action, and a most clipping affair it was; only think of mounseer turning tail to marchant vessels! Damn my old buttons! what will our jolly fellows do next ?" "Next, Bill! why there be nothing to do, 'less they shave off the beard of the grand Turk to make a swab for the cabin of the king's yacht, and sarve out his seven hundred wives amongst the fleet.

I say, I wonder how he keeps so many of them craft in good order ?" "I knows," replied the other, "for I axed the very question when I was up the Dardanelles.

There be a black fellow, a _unique_ they calls him, with a large sword and a bag of sawdust, as always stands sentry at the door, and if so be a woman kicks up a bobbery, why plump her head goes into the bag." "Well, that's one way to make a good woman on her; but as I was saying, Mr Forster, you mustn't be down in the mouth; a seaman as knows his duty, never cares for leave till all the work be done.