"Is it, sir? Well, I never see such a turn out o' nonsense before. It's going to be a feast they're set upon, and it don't seem to me as we're going to have a bit o' room if the first luff makes up his mind to fight. All I can say is that cook me how they please, I'm sorry for the poor beggar of a black who's got to stick his teeth into me. Talk about a tough un, Mr Murray, sir, I'm one," chuckled the big fellow. "They're gathered together for a big feast, as I said afore, and it's no use to show fight, for there arn't room. They'll squeeze us all up pretty tight before the cooking begins, and that may make a bit o' difference in the way of being tender, but I shall give some of them the toothache for certain, and I don't think after the feed's over many of 'em'll want to try British tar again. British tar!" repeated the man jocosely. "Wonder whether I shall taste o' best Stockholm tar. I've got pretty well soaked in it in my time."

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