Page:Surprizing adventures, of Jack Oakum, & Tom Splicewell.pdf/13

Rh it, I will not forget it.'—' 'Cause, if you should, quoth Jack, perhaps they may hang him, and you never be the wiser. But if once we should get him a shipboard with us, by the blood! but you must then ask the Captain first, or a thousand of you could not hang him.'—'Why then, replied the King, if you will take care and get him a shipboard as soon as he is at liberty, I will take care he shall be discharged in a very few days.'—'Sir replied the sailor, I return your Kingship a great many thanks; and I am sure poor Tom will be ready to hang himself for joy that he is to go on board again; and by the mess! there is no good to be got staying so long on shore.'—So, he made the King a low bow, hitches up his trowsers, tacked himself about, and steered off in triumph, that his polite letter had saved his messmate's life. And the story says, that the King and his attendants, were no less pleased at the poor sailors embassy, than they were with the success of it.