Truly a fine pass , when the crew is to correct the skipper ! '' `` Well , then , go your way , '' said Tom ; `` I wash my hands of you . '' `` Set him , then , upon his feet , '' said Master Pirret . `` I know a privy place where we may drink and discourse . '' `` If I am to walk , my friends , ye must set my feet at liberty , '' said Dick , when he had been once more planted upright like a post . `` He saith true , '' laughed Pirret . `` Truly , he could not walk accoutred as he is . Give it a slit -- out with your knife and slit it , gossip . '' Even Arblaster paused at this proposal ; but as his companion continued to insist , and Dick had the sense to keep the merest wooden indifference of expression , and only shrugged his shoulders over the delay , the skipper consented at last , and cut the cords which tied his prisoner 's feet and legs . Not only did this enable Dick to walk ; but the whole network of his bonds being proportionately loosened , he felt the arm behind his back begin to move more freely , and could hope , with time and trouble , to entirely disengage it . So much he owed already to the owlish silliness and greed of Master Pirret . That worthy now assumed the lead , and conducted them to the very same rude alehouse where Lawless had taken Arblaster on the day of the gale . It was now quite deserted ; the fire was a pile of red embers , radiating the most ardent heat ; and when they had chosen their places , and the landlord had set before them a measure of mulled ale , both Pirret and Arblaster stretched forth their legs and squared their elbows like men bent upon a pleasant hour . The table at which they sat , like all the others in the alehouse , consisted of a heavy , square board , set on a pair of barrels ; and each of the four curiously-assorted cronies sat at one side of the square , Pirret facing Arblaster , and Dick opposite to the common sailor . `` And now , young man , '' said Pirret , `` to your tale . It doth appear , indeed , that ye have somewhat abused our gossip Arblaster ; but what then ? Make it up to him -- show him but this chance to become wealthy -- and I will go pledge he will forgive you . '' So far Dick had spoken pretty much at random ; but it was now necessary , under the supervision of six eyes , to invent and tell some marvellous story , and , if it were possible , get back into his hands the all-important signet . To squander time was the first necessity . The longer his stay lasted , the more would his captors drink , and the surer should he be when he attempted his escape .
Well , XXXXX was not much of an inventor , and what he told was pretty much the tale of Ali Baba , with Shoreby and Tunstall Forest substituted for the East , and the treasures of the cavern rather exaggerated than diminished .
Arblaster Dick Pirret Tom alehouse embers escape first hour silliness