Never a month but I 've given you a silver fourpenny for yourself . And now you see , mate , I 'm pretty low , and deserted by all ; and Jim , you 'll bring me one noggin of rum , now , wo n't you , matey ? '' `` The doctor -- '' I began . But he broke in cursing the doctor , in a feeble voice but heartily . `` Doctors is all swabs , '' he said ; `` and that doctor there , why , what do he know about seafaring men ? I been in places hot as pitch , and mates dropping round with Yellow Jack , and the blessed land a-heaving like the sea with earthquakes -- what to the doctor know of lands like that ? -- and I lived on rum , I tell you . It 's been meat and drink , and man and wife , to me ; and if I 'm not to have my rum now I 'm a poor old hulk on a lee shore , my blood 'll be on you , Jim , and that doctor swab '' ; and he ran on again for a while with curses . `` Look , Jim , how my fingers fidges , '' he continued in the pleading tone . `` I ca n't keep 'em still , not I. I have n't had a drop this blessed day . That doctor 's a fool , I tell you . If I do n't have a drain o ' rum , Jim , I 'll have the horrors ; I seen some on 'em already . I seen old Flint in the corner there , behind you ; as plain as print , I seen him ; and if I get the horrors , I 'm a man that has lived rough , and I 'll raise Cain . Your doctor hisself said one glass would n't hurt me . I 'll give you a golden guinea for a noggin , Jim . '' He was growing more and more excited , and this alarmed me for my father , who was very low that day and needed quiet ; besides , I was reassured by the doctor 's words , now quoted to me , and rather offended by the offer of a bribe . `` I want none of your money , '' said I , `` but what you owe my father . I 'll get you one glass , and no more . '' When I brought it to him , he seized it greedily and drank it out . `` Aye , aye , '' said he , `` that 's some better , sure enough .
And now , XXXXX , did that doctor say how long I was to lie here in this old berth ? ''
Cain Jack Jim a-heaving day fidges fourpenny matey noggin swab