Six or seven of the malcontents had been carried bodily overboard ; and as for the remainder , when they found their tongues again , it was to bellow to the saints and wail upon Lawless to come back and take the tiller . Nor did Lawless wait to be twice bidden . The terrible result of his fling of just resentment sobered him completely . He knew , better than any one on board , how nearly the Good Hope had gone bodily down below their feet ; and he could tell , by the laziness with which she met the sea , that the peril was by no means over . Dick , who had been thrown down by the concussion and half drowned , rose wading to his knees in the swamped well of the stern , and crept to the old helmsman 's side . `` Lawless , '' he said , `` we do all depend on you ; y ' are a brave , steady man , indeed , and crafty in the management of ships ; I shall put three sure men to watch upon your safety . '' `` Bootless , my master , bootless , '' said the steersman , peering forward through the dark . `` We come every moment somewhat clearer of these sandbanks ; with every moment , then , the sea packeth upon us heavier , and for all these whimperers , they will presently be on their backs . For , my master , 't is a right mystery , but true , there never yet was a bad man that was a good shipman . None but the honest and the bold can endure me this tossing of a ship . '' `` Nay , Lawless , '' said Dick , laughing , `` that is a right shipman 's byword , and hath no more of sense than the whistle of the wind . But , prithee , how go we ? Do we lie well ? Are we in good case ? '' `` Master Shelton , '' replied Lawless , `` I have been a Grey Friar -- I praise fortune -- an archer , a thief , and a shipman . Of all these coats , I had the best fancy to die in the Grey Friar 's , as ye may readily conceive , and the least fancy to die in John Shipman 's tarry jacket ; and that for two excellent good reasons : first , that the death might take a man suddenly ; and second , for the horror of that great , salt smother and welter under my foot here '' -- and Lawless stamped with his foot . `` Howbeit , '' he went on , `` an I die not a sailor 's death , and that this night , I shall owe a tall candle to our Lady . '' `` Is it so ? '' asked Dick . `` It is right so , '' replied the outlaw .
`` XXXXX ye not feel how heavy and dull she moves upon the waves ?
Do Is bidden brave knew praise said tossing wait went