That's what I
think when I look at you and Archie. I say it behind
your back and I say it now to your face, for
it's true. As to Lucy, I may be mistaken, and I may
not. I don't want to condemn nothin' 'less I'm on
the survey and kin look the craft over; that's why
I'm partic'lar. Maybe Bart was right in sayin' it
warn't all his fault, whelp as he was to say it, and
maybe he warn't. It ain't up before me and I ain't
passin' on it,--but one thing is certain, when a ship's
made as many voyages as Lucy has and ain't been
home for repairs nigh on to seven years--ain't it?"
and he looked at Jane for confirmation--"she gits
foul and sometimes a little mite worm-eaten--especially
her bilge timbers, unless they're copper-fastened
or pretty good stuff. I've been thinkin' for
some time that you ain't got Lucy straight, and this
last kick-up of hers makes me sure of it. Some
timber is growed right and some timber is growed
crooked; and when it's growed crooked it gits leaky,
and no 'mount o' tar and pitch kin stop it. Every
twist the ship gives it opens the seams, and the
pumps is goin' all the time. When your timber is
growed right you kin all go to sleep and not a drop
o' water'll git in.
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