Oh, says the second mate, who was a man as didnt mind talking to a man before the mast. Hows that?
Ive got a berth ashore, sir, says Bill, and I wanted to ask a favour, sir.
The second mate growled and walked off a pace or two.
Ive never been so appy as Ive been on this ship, says Bill; none of us ave. We was saying so the other night, and everybody agreed as it was owing to you, sir, and your kindness to all of us.
The second mate coughed, but Bill could see as e was a bit pleased.
The feeling came over me, says Bill, that when I leave the sea for good Id like to ave something o yours to remember you by, sir. And it seemed to me that if I ad yourmattress I should think of you evry night o my life.
My wot? says the second mate, staring at im. Your mattress, sir, says Bill. If I might make so bold as to offer a pound for it, sir. I want something wots been used by you, and Ive got a fancy for that as a keepsake. The second mate shook is ead. Im sorry, Bill, e says, gently, but I couldnt let it go at that.
Id sooner pay thirty shillins than not ave it, sir, says Bill, umbly.
I gave a lot of money for that mattress, says the mate, agin. I forgit ow much, but a lot. You dont know ow valuable that mattress is.
I know its a good one, sir, else you wouldnt ave it, says Bill. Would a couple o pounds buy it, sir?
The second mate humd and had, but Bill was afeard to go any igher. So far as e could make out from Jimmy, the mattress was worth about eighteen penceto anybody who wasnt pertiklar.
Ive slept on that mattress for years, says the second mate, looking at im from the corner of is eye. I dont believe I could sleep on another. Still, to oblige you, Bill, you shall ave it at that if you dont want it till we go ashore?
Thankee, sir, says Bill, ardly able to keep from dancing, and Ill and over the two pounds when were paid off. I shall keep it all my life, sir, in memory of you and your kindness.
And mind you keep quiet about it, says the second mate, who didnt want the skipper to know wot ed been doing, because I dont want to be bothered by other men wanting to buy things as keepsakes.
Bill promised im like a shot, and when e told me about it e was nearly crying with joy.
And mind, e says, Ive bought that mattress, bought it as it stands, and its got nothing to do with Jimmy. Well each pay a pound and halve wots in it.
He persuaded me at last, but that boy watched us like a cat watching a couple of canaries, and I could see we should ave all we could do to deceive im. He seemed more suspicious o Bill than me, and e kep worrying us nearly every day to know what we were going to do.
We beat about in the channel with a strong ead-wind for four days, and then a tug picked us up and towed us to London.