“That is quite true, boatswain.”
“And so, Mr. Jeorling, I am always afraid that one of these days somebody will do Peters an ill turn.”
“Dirk Peters would defend himself, and I should pity the man who laid a finger on him.”
“Quite so. It would not be good for anybody to be in his hands, for they could bend iron! But then, all being against him, he would be forced into the hold.”
“Well, well, we have not yet come to that, I hope, and I count on you, Hurliguerly, to prevent any against Dirk Peters. Reason with your men. Make them understand that we have time to return to the Falklands before the end of the fine season. Their reproaches must not be allowed to provide the captain with an excuse for turning back before the object is attained.”
“Count on me, Mr. Jeorling, to well serve you
