PEW. Now, I want this clear: Do I understand that you're going back on me, and you'll see me damned first? GAUNT. Of me you shall have neither money nor strong drink: not a guinea to spend in riot; not a drop to fire your heart with devilry. PEW. Cap'n, do you think it wise to quarrel with me? I put it to you now, Cap'n, fairly, as between man and man--do you think it wise? GAUNT. I fear nothing. My feet are on the Rock. Begone! (_He opens the Bible and begins to read._) Pew (_after a pause_). Well, Cap'n, you know best, no doubt; and David Pew's about the last man, though I says it, to up and thwart an old Commander. You've been 'ard on David Pew, Cap'n: 'ard on the poor blind; but you'll live to regret it--ah, my Christian friend, you'll live to eat them words up. But there's no malice here: that ain't Pew's way; here's a sailor's hand upon it.... You don't say nothing? (_GAUNT turns a page._) Ah, reading, was you? Reading, by thunder! Well, here's my respecks. (_Singing_)-- "Time for us to go, Time for us to go, When the money's out, and the liquor's done, Why, it's time for us to go." (_He goes tapping up to door, turns on the threshold, and listens. GAUNT turns a page. PEW, with a grimace, strikes his hand upon the pocket with the keys, and goes._) ACT II _The Stage represents the parlour of the "Admiral Benbow" inn. Fireplace, R., with high-backed settles on each side; in front of these, and facing the audience, R., a small table laid with a cloth. Tables, L., with glasses, pipes, etc. Broadside ballads on the wall. Outer door of inn, with half-door in L., corner back; door, R., beyond the fireplace; window with red half-curtains; spittoons; candles on both the front tables; night without_ SCENE I _PEW; afterwards MRS. DRAKE, out and in._ PEW (_entering_). Kind Christian friends----(_listening, then dropping the whine_). Hey? nobody! Hey? A grog-shop not two cable-lengths from the Admiral's back-door, and the Admiral not there? I never knew a seaman brought so low: he ain't but the bones of the man he used to be. Bear away for the New Jerusalem, and this is what you run aground on, is it? Good again; but it ain't Pew's way; Pew's way is rum.--Sanded floor. Rum is his word, and rum his motion.--Settle--chimbly--settle again--spittoon--table rigged for supper. Table--glass. (_Drinks heeltap._) Brandy and water; and not enough of it to wet your eye; damn all greediness, I say. Pot (_drinks_), small beer--a drink that I ab'or like bilge! What I want is rum. (_Calling and rapping with stick on table._) Halloa, there! House, ahoy! MRS. DRAKE (_without_). Coming, sir, coming. (_She enters, R._) What can I do----? (_Seeing PEW._) Well, I never did! Now, beggar-man, what's for you? PEW. Rum, ma'am, rum; and a bit o' supper. MRS. DRAKE. And a bed to follow, I shouldn't wonder! PEW. _And_ a bed to follow: _if_ you please.