He was quickly enlightened
by seeing two of the sea-lawyers approaching the quarter deck. One of
them was named Hiram Young, a very ignorant but positive American
sailor, the other named Daniel Sneers, an Englishman equally ignorant
and if possible more positive. When they neared the quarter deck Paul
asked: "Well what is it?"
"We want you to decide a question sir," said Young, "this 'ere Sneers
says and maintains as what England put in a challenge in the paper and
kept it in for six months, offering to fight any country on the face of
the earth, and I argues as she never put it in a American paper or she
would a' been snapped up like that," demonstrating his remark by
snapping his forefinger and thumb.
Paul tried to show them the difference between nations and prize
fighters, but neither of them seemed thoroughly satisfied with the
explanation given. As they walked back to the forecastle, Paul overheard
Young remark, that "She might a put it in French or a Italian paper, but
he was d--d if they ever put in a American paper!"
When they reached Gibraltar a heavy west wind was blowing in through the
strait. Under lowered top-sails they were compelled to beat up and
down under the shelter of the rocks. A large fleet of weather bound
vessels kept the George company.
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