`` That 's Mr. Shuan that navigates the brig ; he 's the finest seaman in the trade , only for drink ; and I tell you I believe it ! Why , look ` ere ; '' and turning down his stocking he showed me a great , raw , red wound that made my blood run cold . `` He done that -- Mr. Shuan done it , '' he said , with an air of pride . `` What ! '' I cried , `` do you take such savage usage at his hands ? Why , you are no slave , to be so handled ! '' `` No , '' said the poor moon-calf , changing his tune at once , `` and so he 'll find . See'ere ; '' and he showed me a great case-knife , which he told me was stolen . `` O , '' says he , `` let me see him try ; I dare him to ; I 'll do for him ! O , he ai n't the first ! '' And he confirmed it with a poor , silly , ugly oath . I have never felt such pity for any one in this wide world as I felt for that half-witted creature , and it began to come over me that the brig Covenant -LRB- for all her pious name -RRB- was little better than a hell upon the seas . `` Have you no friends ? '' said I . He said he had a father in some English seaport , I forget which . `` He was a fine man , too , '' he said , `` but he 's dead . '' `` In Heaven 's name , '' cried I , `` can you find no reputable life on shore ? '' `` O , no , '' says he , winking and looking very sly , `` they would put me to a trade . I know a trick worth two of that , I do ! '' I asked him what trade could be so dreadful as the one he followed , where he ran the continual peril of his life , not alone from wind and sea , but by the horrid cruelty of those who were his masters .
He XXXXX it was very true ; and then began to praise the life , and tell what a pleasure it was to get on shore with money in his pocket , and spend it like a man , and buy apples , and swagger , and surprise what he called stick-in-the-mud boys .
confirmed dare find let looking put ran said says winking