The old pirate walked into the low-ceilinged, smoke-filled tavern and looked about carefully. Way in the back he spotted a familiar face. That be you, Jamie?

Aye. Who's askin'? That you, Tim? Where've you been, and what happened to your pin there, he asked, pointing to Tim's wooden leg.

Lost 'er in the Caribean, trying to board a merchantman. The two ships come together as me leg was just over the bullworks. Nipped it off clean. And what happened to your flipper? Lucky it was the left one. That's a mighty finely crafted hook, best I've seen. And yer missin' a headlight. How did that happen?

Oh, I was with Nelson and a Spaniard sliced off me wing. Got even with him, though. Cut his head in half down the middle. As for me eyeball, 'twer seagull chit.

Seagull chit? How could seagull chit put out yer eye?

Oh, 'twas the day after I got me new hook.