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XL. Midnight, Forecastle

I don’t like your floor, maty; it’s too springy to my taste. I’m used to ice-floors. I’m sorry to throw cold water on the subject; but excuse me.

Maltese sailor .

Me too; where’s your girls? Who but a fool would take his left hand by his right, and say to himself, how d’ye do? Partners! I must have partners!

Sicilian sailor .

Aye; girls and a green!⁠—then I’ll hop with ye; yea, turn grasshopper!

Long-Island sailor .

Well, well, ye sulkies, there’s plenty more of us. Hoe corn when you may, say I. All legs go to harvest soon. Ah! here comes the music; now for it!

Azore sailor .

Ascending, and pitching the tambourine up the scuttle. Here you are, Pip; and there’s the windlass-bitts; up you mount! Now, boys!

The half of them dance to the tambourine; some go below; some sleep or lie among the coils of rigging.

Oaths aplenty.

Azore sailor .

Dancing.

  • Go it, Pip!
  • Bang it, bellboy!
  • Rig it, dig it, stig it, quig it, bellboy!
  • Make fireflies; break the jinglers!

Pip .

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