"Howsomever, to coil away."
* * * * *
I joined a privateer brig, and after three cruises I had plenty of
money, and determined to have another spell on shore, that I might get
rid of it. Then I picked up Sue, and spliced again; but, Lord bless your
heart, she turned out a regular-built Tartar--nothing but fight fight,
scratch scratch, all day long, till I wished her at old Scratch. I was
tired of her, and Sue had taken a fancy to another chap; so says she one
day, "As we both be of the same mind, why don't you sell me, and then we
may part in a respectable manner." I agrees, and I puts a halter round
her neck, and leads her to the market-place, the chap following to buy
her.
"Who bids for this woman?" says I.
"I do," say he.
"What will you give?"
"Half-a-crown," says he.
"Will you throw a glass of grog into the bargain?"
"Yes," says he.
"Then she's yours; and I wish you much joy of your bargain." So I hands
the rope to him, and he leads her off.
"How much did you say he sold his wife for?" said the pacha to
Mustapha, when this part of the story was repeated to him.
"A piastre, and a drink of the fire-water," replied the vizier.
"Ask him if she was handsome," said the pacha.
"Handsome," replied the sailor to Mustapha's inquiry; "yes, she was as
pretty a craft to look at as you may set your eyes upon; fine round
counter--clean run--swelling bows--good figure-head, and hair enough for
a mermaid.
Pages:
349
350
351
352
353
354
355
356
357
358
359
360
361
362
363
364
365
366
367
368
369
370
371
372
373