Anger rose up in Dick 's bosom like a storm ; anger strangled him , and he thought to have died ; but when the sailor , tired of this cruel play , dropped him all his length upon the sand and turned to consult with his companions , he instantly regained command of his temper . Here was a momentary respite ; ere they began again to torture him , he might have found some method to escape from this degrading and fatal misadventure . Presently , sure enough , and while his captors were still discussing what to do with him , he took heart of grace , and , with a pretty steady voice , addressed them . `` My masters , '' he began , `` are ye gone clean foolish ? Here hath Heaven put into your hands as pretty an occasion to grow rich as ever shipman had -- such as ye might make thirty over-sea adventures and not find again -- and , by the mass I what do ye ? Beat me ? -- nay ; so would an angry child ! But for long-headed tarry-Johns , that fear not fire nor water , and that love gold as they love beef , methinks ye are not wise . '' `` Ay , '' said Tom , `` now y ' are trussed ye would cozen us . '' `` Cozen you ! '' repeated Dick . `` Nay , if ye be fools , it would be easy . But if ye be shrewd fellows , as I trow ye are , ye can see plainly where your interest lies . When I took your ship from you , we were many , we were well clad and armed ; but now , bethink you a little , who mustered that array ? One incontestably that hath much gold . And if he , being already rich , continueth to hunt after more even in the face of storms -- bethink you once more -- shall there not be a treasure somewhere hidden ? '' `` What meaneth he ? '' asked one of the men . `` Why , if ye have lost an old skiff and a few jugs of vinegary wine , '' continued Dick , `` forget them , for the trash they are ; and do ye rather buckle to an adventure worth the name , that shall , in twelve hours , make or mar you for ever . But take me up from where I lie , and let us go somewhere near at hand and talk across a flagon , for I am sore and frozen , and my mouth is half among the snow . ''
`` He seeks but to cozen us , '' said XXXXX , contemptuously .
Dick Tom bethink continueth escape flagon jugs misadventure storms torture