Even so, these men were frugal of speech and used among themselves only that bizarre dialect whose origin I couldn't even guess. So I had to give up any notions of questioning them.
Overigens spraken die mannen zeer weinig, en gebruikten onder elkander slechts die vreemde taal, welker oorsprong ik zelfs niet raden kon; derhalve moest ik er van afzien om hen te ondervragen.