And when he was beatin' up that batter for me and I asked him if he was not tired workin' so hard, he pulled up his sleeve and showed me his arm, which was like a horse's leg, all covered with hair, and asked me if I thought it was likely he could tear himself with a spoon.

I'm sure he would give us better food if he could, for he leaned over and whispered to me, like a gust of wind coming in through the door, that the captain was in a very hard case, having lately lost everything he had at the gaming-table, and therefore had not the money to store the ship as he would have done." "Oh, don't talk about that, Dame Charter," said Kate; "if we can get enough to eat, no matter what it is, we must be satisfied and think only of our great joy in sailing to my father and to your Dickory." That afternoon Captain Ichabod found Kate by herself on deck, and he made bold to sit down by her; and before he knew what he was about, he was telling her his whole story.

She listened carefully to what he said.
He touched but lightly upon his wickednesses, although they were plain enough to any listener of sense, and bemoaned his fearful passion for gaming, which was sure to bring him to misery one day or another.
"When I have staked my vessel and have lost it," said he, "then there will be an end of me." "But why don't you sell your vessel before you lose it," said Kate, "and become a farmer ?" His eyes brightened.

"I never thought of that," said he.

"Bedad--excuse me, Miss--some day when I've got a little together and can pay my men I'll sell this sloop and buy a farm, bedad--I beg your pardon, Miss--I'll buy a farm." Kate smiled, but it was easy to see that Captain Ichabod was in earnest.
The next day Captain Ichabod came to Mr.Delaplaine and took him to one side.