r
ar'n't we all true Christians, and don't we all fear God and honour the
king? I sartainly myself does consider that that ere dog could not a
have cummed into this here vessel by any manner of means natural not by
no means, 'cause it's very clear, that a dog if he be as he be a dog,
can't do no more than other dogs can; and if he can do more than heither
dog or man can, then he must be the devil, and not a dog--and so he is--
that's sartain. But if so be as he is the devil, I say again, I don't
care, 'cause I sees exactly how it is--he be a devil, but he be only a
sea-devil and not a shore-devil, and I'll tell you for why. Didn't he
come on board some how no how in a gale of wind when he was called for?
Didn't I sew him up in a bread-bag, and didn't he come back just as
nothing had happened; and didn't the corporal launch him into a surge
over the taffrail, and he comes back just as if nothing had happened?
Well, then, one thing is clear; that his power be on the water, and no
water will drown that ere imp, so it's no use trying no more in that
way, for he be a sea-devil. But I thinks this: he goes on shore and he
comes back with one of his impish eyes knocked out clean by somebody or
another some how or another, and, therefore, I argues that he have no
power on shore not by no means; for if you can knock his eye out, you
can knock his soul out of his body, by only knocking a little more to
the purpose. Who ever heard of any one knocking out the devil's eye, or
injuring him in any way? No; because he have power by sea and by land:
but this here be only a water-devil, and he may be killed on dry land.
Now, that's just my opinion, and as soon as I gets him on shore, I means
to try what I can do. I don't fear him, nor his master, nor anything
else, 'cause I'm a Christian, and was baptised Peter; and I tells you
all, that be he a dog, or be he a devil, I'll have a shy at him as soon
as I can, and if I don't, I hope I may be damned, that's all."

Such was the oration of Smallbones, which was remarkably well received.
Every one agreed with the soundness of his arguments, and admired his
resolution, and as he had comprised in his speech all that could be said
upon the subject, they broke up the conference, and every one went down
to his hammock.

CHAPTER TWENTY THREE.

IN WHICH MR. VANSLYPERKEN FINDS GREAT CAUSE OF VEXATION AND
SATISFACTION.

In the meanwhile, Mr Vanslyperken was anything but comfortable in his