Page:The Great Secret.djvu/208

192 grog has made me ready for my bunk, so I guess I'll turn in. Good-night to ye, gentlemen."

"Good-night! we will not be long in following your example," said the doctor, as he watched the burly skipper stagger along the poop and help himself down the companion-ladder with both hands on the rails.

"He must sleep sound and quickly after that, Dennis. Be ready to follow me down presently," whispered the doctor to his fell comrade.

"I am ready," replied Dennis, "but I must have a proper drunk after the job is done to make up for my abstinence to-night. By Jehosophat, but the fumes of that punch bowl were enough to make a Mohammedan forego paradise."

"You may have what you like afterwards," answered the doctor.

They watched the second mate, who was farther gone than the captain, swing about for two or three turns of the poop and then pitch himself heavily on the top of the skylight which was covered with tarpaulin. In another moment he was sound asleep, as they could hear by his nasal accompaniment.

One seaman stood at the wheel, impassive and intent only on his duty, the compass box, over which an oil lamp swung; he was safe there for the next hour. The two mates, after a few remarks about the weather, had returned to their pleasant occupation with the traitress syrens. They would not interfere or come below until their watch was up, so that the ruffians had two clear hours before them.

"Come," whispered the doctor, and at the word he turned to go down to the cabin with Dennis at his heels.

They passed the open doors of the berths which