Here's why:
* "Great Spoon" is not a known author. There is no established author with this pen name.
* "Billy-be-hanged" is a slang term. It means "be hanged" or "be damned," often used in a humorous or frustrated way.
* "Cape Horn" is a real place. It's a treacherous headland at the southernmost tip of South America, known for its rough seas and challenging sailing conditions.
Therefore, it's most likely a combination of a slang phrase and a geographical location, potentially referring to a dangerous or difficult situation.
Possible Interpretations:
* "Billy-be-hanged Cape Horn" could be a colorful expression meaning something like "that's a dangerous/difficult situation" or "I'm not going to try that, even if it means being hanged."
* It could also be a phrase related to maritime history, specifically referring to the treacherous waters around Cape Horn. Sailors in the past often faced harsh conditions and risked their lives when navigating these waters.
If you have any more context from the book you're thinking of, it might be easier to pinpoint the meaning of the phrase.