"Thereupon the captain came on board the whale, or on shore, whichever you like--I don't know which, nor does it matter--he came, at any rate. My grandfather shook hands with him and asked him to sit down. But the captain declined, saying he preferred standing. "'Well,' said my grandfather, 'I called on you to see if you would like to buy a whale.' [Illustration: Buying A Whale.] "'Wa'al, yes, I don't mind. I'm in that line myself.' "'What'll you give for it?' "'What'll you take for it?' "'What'll you give?' "'What'll you take?' "'What'll you give?' "'What'll you take?' "'What'll you give?' "'What'll you take?' "'What'll you give?' "'What'll you take?' "'What'll you give?' "'What'll you take?' "'What'll you give?' "'What'll you take?' "'What'll you give?' "'What'll you take?' "'What'll you give?' "'What'll you take?' "'What'll you give?' "'What'll you take?' "'What'll you give?' "'What'll you take?' "Twenty-five minutes were taken up in the repetition of this question, for neither wished to commit himself. "'Have you had any offers for it yet?' asked Captain Jones at last. "'Wa'al, no; can't say that I have.' "'I'll give as much as any body.' "'How much?' "'What'll you take?' "'What'll you give?' "'What'll you take?' "'What'll you give?' "'What'll you take?' "'What'll you give?' "'What'll you take?' "'What'll you give?' "'What'll you take?' "'What'll you give?' "'What'll you take?' "'What'll you give?' "'What'll you take?' "'What'll you give?' "'What'll you take?' "'What'll you give?' "'What'll you take?' "'What'll you give?' "'What'll you take?' "'What'll you give?' "'What'll you take?' "'What'll you give?' "Then my grandfather, after a long deliberation, took the captain by the arm and led him all around, showing him the country, as one may say, enlarging upon the fine points, and doing as all good traders are bound to do when they find themselves face to face with a customer. "To which the end was: "'Wa'al, what'll you take?' "'What'll you give?' "'What'll you take?' "'What'll you give?' "'What'll you take?' "'What'll you give?' "'What'll you take?' "'What'll you give?' "'What'll you take?' "'What'll you give?' "'What'll you take?' "'What'll you give?' "'What'll you take?' "'What'll you give?' "'What'll you take?' "'What'll you give?' "'What'll you take?' "'What'll you give?' "'Well,' said my grandfather, 'I don't know as I care about trading after all. I think I'll wait till the whaling fleet comes along. I've been waiting for them for some time, and they ought to be here soon.' "'You're not in the right track,' said Captain Jones. "'Yes, I am.' "'Excuse me.' "'Ex-cuse _me_,' said my grandfather. 'I took an observation just before you came in sight, and I am in lat. 47° 22' 20", long. 150° 15' 55".' "Captain Jones's face fell. My grandfather poked him in the ribs and smiled.