"Wish we was twice as many, and had a good-sized gun in the bows." "Why, it would kick the boat all to pieces, or sink her," I said.
"Oh, that wouldn't matter, sir." "But it's some one else's boat that we've borrowed," I said, with a laugh.
"Ay, so it is; I forgot, sir.

But we ain't got a gun, and I'm afraid we can't take them two junks alone." "So am I, Tom Jecks," I said; "but we can follow them." "Arter we've had another naval engagement, sir.

I say, look astern; I do like the impidence of these here savages, chasing on us like this, and they're gaining on us fast." "No; only just holding their own." "Gaining, sir." "No." "Yes, sir." I took a long look back at the boat, and counted the black caps and flattened limpet-shaped straw hats of the blue-jacketed men on board.
"Seven of 'em," I said half aloud.
"Eight, sir; I counted 'em twice.

One on 'em is a-lying down now, but he was a-setting up a little while ago.

Afraid we shall open fire, I expect." "And that's what we shall have to do," I said.