"
"Well, Bill, that's true, and I would rather not hear you speak at all
than hear you speak like the other men; but _I_ don't swear, Bill,
so you might talk to me sometimes, I think. Besides, I'm weary of
spending day after day in this way, without a single soul to say a
pleasant word to. I've been used to friendly conversation, Bill, and I
really would take it kind if you would talk with me a little now and
then."
Bill looked at me in surprise, and I thought I observed a sad
expression pass across his sunburned face.
"An' where have you been used to friendly conversation?" said Bill,
looking down again into the sea; "not on that Coral Island, I take it."
"Yes, indeed," said I energetically; "I have spent many of the happiest
months in my life on that Coral Island." And without waiting to be
further questioned, I launched out into a glowing account of the happy
life that Jack and Peterkin and I had spent together, and related
minutely every circumstance that befell us while on the island.
"Boy, boy," said Bill, in a voice so deep that it startled me, "this is
no place for you."
"That's true," said I. "I am of little use on board, and I don't like
my comrades; but I can't help it, and at any rate I hope to be free
again soon."
"Free?" said Bill, looking at me in surprise.
"Yes, free," returned I; "the captain said he would put me ashore after
this trip was over."
"_This trip_! Hark'ee, boy," said Bill, lowering his voice, "what
said the captain to you the day you came aboard?"
"He said that he was a trader in sandal-wood, and no pirate, and told
me that if I would join him for this trip he would give me a good share
of the profits, or put me on shore in some civilised island if I
chose.
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