the window, Bob, and let's have some fresh air."

There was a quick rustling movement close by me, as if some one had
risen upon his elbow, and he exclaimed--

"What d'yer say?"

"Open the window, Bob; I'm half-stifled."

"So'm I, my lad. Here, what's the matter? What are you doing here?"

"No," I said; "what are you doing here in the cabin, Bob?"

"I arn't in the cabin, my lad, and you arn't in the cabin, for this
arn't in it, and--Here, I say, what's up?"

"I don't know," I said peevishly, "but it's so hot I can't bear it; do
open something."

"Blest if I--Look here, my lad--There arn't anything to open anywheres,
and my head won't go. Would you mind telling me where the sky-light is,
for I s'pose I had too much grog last night like a fool, and I arn't
werry clear in the head."

"I don't know, I can't tell, Bob. It's all a puzzle."

"And it's so plaguey dark, my lad. Wait a bit and I'll feel round with
my fingers, for eyes aren't no good here."

"Well," I said, for there was a good deal of rustling, "what can you
feel?"

"Chesties and casks, my lad, and we're a-lying on 'em--leastwise I am.
What are we two a-lying on chesties and casks for?"

"I don't know, Bob. But who's that snoring so?"

"Where?"

"Somebody was snoring just now, but it stopped when you spoke."

"Then I s'pose it must ha' been me, my lad. I have heard say as I could
play a pretty good toon on my nose when I was very fast asleep."

"No. There it goes again," I said in a hoarse whisper, as the noise
which I had first heard recommenced.

"Oh, there's no gammon 'bout that, my lad. That there's Neb Dumlow. If
ever you're anywheres and hears a sound like a vessel blowing off her
steam under water, all snort and bubble, you may take your oath it's Neb
Dumlow. Here, I'll stop that."

"Wait a moment, Bob," I said. "I want to know first where we are."

"So do I, my lad, but it seems to me, as my old mother used to say, that
want'll be your master. I dunno, my lad; arn't dead and buried, are
we?"

"Don't talk nonsense," I said peevishly. "Look here,--were you on the
middle watch last night?"

"Dunno, my lad,--were you?"

"I can't recollect, Bob. But do try. We must be somewhere in the dark,
and it's that which puzzles us."

"Oh yes, there's no gammon about that, my lad; we're somewheres in the
dark, and it's 'bout the solidest, thickest darkness I ever found myself
in. Here, I'll wake up old Neb. He's very ugly