# Captain Pottery and Captain Settle explained — The Splendid Spur

> Chapter companion for The Splendid Spur by Arthur Quiller-Couch.

## What happens

Jack Marvel and Delia escape Bristol Keep and board the Godsend, captained by the deaf but kind Billy Pottery. After hiding in casks in the hold, they endure seasickness and meet Pottery's eccentric, drunken crew. Pottery agrees to land them in Cornwall, and during the voyage, Jack presses Delia for an answer to his earlier proposal, but she evades him, leading to tension. They disembark at Bude Bay, and Delia's lighthearted singing contrasts with Jack's somber reflections.

## Themes in this chapter

### Friendship and Comradeship

Jack and Delia's bond is tested as Jack seeks a romantic commitment, while Delia wishes to preserve their merry comradeship.

### Deception and Truth

Jack and Delia hide in casks to deceive the authorities; Jack is honest with Pottery about his escape and mission.

## Character check-ins

### Jack Marvel

Narrator; escapes Bristol Keep and boards the Godsend; presses Delia for a reply to his proposal; reflects on the futility of life.

### Delia Killigrew

Companion to Jack; helps in the escape; avoids Jack's romantic advances; sings cheerfully after disembarking.

### Captain Billy Pottery

Deaf captain of the Godsend; hides Jack and Delia in casks; agrees to land them in Cornwall; gives Jack advice about Delia.

### Gabriel Hutchins

Elderly helmsman; sober but wishes he could get drunk; considered the best crewman by Pottery.

### Matt Soames

Master of the Godsend; found dead-drunk by Pottery.

### Ben Halliday

Crewman; opens one eye when stirred by Pottery.

## Key lines

> My name's Pottery—Bill Pottery, cap'n o' the Godsend —an' you can't make me hear, not if you bust yoursel'!

Captain Billy Pottery introduces himself and explains he is completely deaf.

_Highlights Pottery's deafness and his role as the ship's captain._

> Ply her, Jack—ply her briskly! Womankind is but yielding flesh: 'am an amorous man mysel', an' speak but that I have prov'd.

Pottery advises Jack to pursue Delia romantically, claiming women are easily won.

_Shows Pottery's crude but well-meaning advice and Jack's awkwardness._

> Hey! nonni—nonni—no! Is't not fine to laugh and sing When the bells of death do ring!—

Delia sings a cheerful song about laughing in the face of death.

_Contrasts Delia's lightheartedness with Jack's somber mood._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_splendid_spur_se/chapters/x-captain-pottery-and-captain-settle
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_splendid_spur_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_splendid_spur_se/chapters