Page:The Seven Seas (Kipling, 1896).djvu/175

Rh Easy bearings to carry—three South—three to the dot;

But I gave M'Andrews a copy in case of dying—or not.

And so you'll write to M'Andrews, he's Chief of the Maori Line;

They'll give him leave, if you ask 'em and say it's business o' mine.

I built three boats for the Maoris, an' very well pleased they were,

An' I've known Mac since the Fifties, and Mac knew me—and her.

After the first stroke warned me I sent him the money to keep

Against the time you'd claim it, committin' your dad to the deep;

For you are the son o' my body, and Mac was my oldest friend,

I've never asked 'im to dinner, but he'll see it out to the end,

Stiff-necked Glasgow beggar, I've heard he's prayed for my soul,

But he couldn't lie if you paid him, and he'd starve before he stole!