One of them, however,
an old salt, who had seen something more of the world ashore, set
all to rights, as he thoughts- "Oh, 'vast there!- You don't know
anything about them craft. I've seen them colleges, and know the
ropes. They keep all such things for curiosities, and study 'em, and
have men a' purpose to go and get 'em. This old chap knows what he's
about. He a'n't the child you take him for. He'll carry all these
things to the college, and if they are better than any that they
have had before, he'll be head of the college. Then, by-and-by,
somebody else will go after some more, and if they beat him, he'll
have to go again, or else give up his berth. That's the way they do
it. This old covey knows the ropes. He has worked a traverse over 'em,
and come 'way out here, where nobody's ever been afore, and where
they'll never think of coming." This explanation satisfied Jack; and
as it raised Mr. N.'s credit for capacity, and was near enough to
the truth for common purposes, I did not disturb it.
With the exception of Mr. N., we had no one on board but the regular
ship's company, and the live stock.
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