half fuddled: but he never gets fairly drunk."

"Well, Jacob, I don't wish to pry into your own private concerns. I'll
take it for granted that you're dealing honestly by me."

"You may be sure of that, captain. I'll never deceive you. I haven't
done anything to disgrace myself; but I wish to get gradely out of the
reach of such chaps as yon fellow you've just spoke to. I've had weary
work with the drink, and I wishes to make a fresh start, and to forget
as I ever had any belonging me. So it's just what'll suit me gradely to
go with you over to Australia; and you must excuse me if I make mistakes
at first; but I'll do my best, and I can't say anything beyond that."

By this time they had reached the outfitter's, where the captain saw
Jacob duly rigged out and furnished with all things needful for the
voyage. They had left the shop and were on their way to the docks, when
a tall sailor-looking man crossed over to them. His face was bronzed
from exposure, but was careworn and sad, and bore unmistakable marks of
free indulgence in strong drinks.

"Merryweather, how are you, my friend?" he cried, coming up and shaking
the captain warmly by the hand.

"Ah, Thomson, is that you?" said the other, returning the grasp. "I was
very sorry indeed to hear of your misfortune."

"A bad business--a shocking business," said his friend, shaking his head
despondingly. "Not a spar saved. Three poor fellows drowned. And all
my papers and goods gone to the bottom."

"Yes, I heard something of it, and I was truly grieved. How did it
happen?"

"Why, I'll tell you how it was. I don't know what it is, Merryweather,
but you're a very lucky fellow. Some men seem born to luck: it hasn't
been so with me. It's all gone wrong ever since I left Australia. We'd
fair weather and a good run till we were fairly round the Horn; but one
forenoon the glass began to fall, and I saw there was heavy weather
coming. After a bit it came on to blow a regular gale. The sea got up
in no time, and I had to order all hands up to reef topsails. We were
rather short-handed, for I could hardly get men when I started, for love
or money. Well, would you believe it?--half a dozen of the fellows were
below so drunk that they couldn't stand."

"Ah, I feared," said Captain Merryweather, "that the drink had something
to do with your troubles. But how did they manage to get so tipsy?"

"Oh, they contrived to get at one of the spirit-casks. They bo