I meant undignified--that's the word." "He shall have his boat when we've done with it, and be paid for it too," I said.

"English officers don't do undignified things." "But it strikes me, sir, as there won't be no boat to pay for when the pirates have done with us.

If we go alongside, do you know what they'll do ?" "Shoot." "No, sir; pitch ballast into us, and sink us, as sure as we're here." "Don't talk so much," I said impatiently.

"Why, they've got another sail up, and are coming on faster." "Yes, sir, that's right; and they'll be alongside on us in another ten minutes.

Shall I pass the word along to the lads to spit in their fists ?" "What ?" "I mean, sir, I s'pose it won't be cutlasses but fisties, sir, eh ?" "Mr Herrick, you had better come and take the tiller," said Mr Brooke just then.