g
that he had not mentioned half the delicious and curious fish the buckra
officers were sure to catch if they tried; and that he would undertake
to procure hooks and lines should they wish it.

Quasho was not disinterested in giving this advice. The drogher was
hired by the day, and the longer she was out the more he pocketed. The
midshipmen did not reflect on this, and thought his advice good. Old
Higson also was in no hurry to get back to the ship to attend to the
unpleasant duties of the mate of the lower deck. He was captain for the
nonce, and command is sweet, even over a black crew and a set of
boisterous youngsters. The anchor was got up, and sail made accordingly
for Saba.

A moonlight night on the Caribbean Sea in fine weather is very
enjoyable, provided a person does not go to sleep with his eyes gazing
at the pale luminary, for if he escapes being moon-stricken he will
certainly get a stiff neck or suffer in some other way. The youngsters
enjoyed themselves to their hearts' content, and when tired of
skylarking with Spider, piped to supper, after which those not on watch
turned in. What were the rats, cockroaches, and centipedes swarming in
the little confined cabin, redolent of tobacco smoke and spirits, to
them? Not one-thousandth part as bad as the detestable mosquitoes on
the shores of the Barbuda lagoon, they agreed. So some occupied the
bunks--regular ovens--others the lockers, and Tom took possession of the
cabin-table, the least stifling spot, but tenable only--and that by no
human being but a midshipman--in moderate weather. Old Higson took the
first watch. Timmins, the master's-assistant was far too eloquent just
then to be trusted, and Norris was to have the middle watch. He at all
events was steady. Quasho, however, had taken more Montserrat rum on
board than was good for his intellects such as they were, and Higson
suspected that he was as likely to steer north as west, or to box the
compass if left in charge. Needham was perfectly sober; he was never
otherwise when at sea, for he had a strong head, and took but little
liquor. It might be too much to answer for him when the ship was paid
off. He preferred sleeping on deck to occupying a locker in the cabin;
and of course it would not have done to have sent him to sleep forward
with the blacks. He did once put his nose through the fore hatchway,
and as quickly withdrew it, coughing and spitting to get rid of the
disagreeable od