cask, as a general rule, diminishes if the tap is turned, without
any redress at the bung-hole. Carne ran off his contents too fast,
before he had arranged for fresh receipts; and all who have felt what
comes of that will be able to feel for him in the result.

But a further decrease was in store for him now. As the moon arose, the
wind got higher, and chopped round to one point north of west, raising a
perkish head-sea, and grinning with white teeth against any flapping of
sails. The schooner was put upon the starboard tack as near to the wind
as she would lie, bearing so for the French coast more than the English,
and making for the Vergoyers, instead of the Varne, as intended. This
carried them into wider water, and a long roll from the southwest
crossing the pointed squabble of the strong new wind.

"General," cried Charron, now as merry as a grig, and skipping to the
door of Carne's close little cabin, about an hour before midnight, "it
would afford us pleasure if you would kindly come on deck and give us
the benefit of your advice. I fear that you are a little confined down
here, and in need of more solid sustenance. My General, arise; there is
much briskness upon deck, and the waves are dancing beautifully in the
full moon. Two sail are in sight, one upon the weather bow, and the
other on the weather quarter. Ah, how superior your sea-words are
to ours! If I were born an Englishman, you need not seek far for a
successor to Nelson, when he gets shot, as he is sure to be before very
long."

"Get out!" muttered Carne, whose troubles were faintly illuminated by a
sputtering wick. "Get out, you scoundrel, as you love plain English. Go
direct to the devil--only let me die in peace."

"All language is excusable in those affected with the malady of the
sea," replied the Frenchman, dancing a little to encourage his friend.
"Behold, if you would get up and do this, you would be as happy inside
as I am. But stay--I know what will ease you in an instant, and enable
you to order us right and left. The indefatigable Sherray put a fine
piece of fat pork in store before we sailed; I have just had it cooked,
for I was almost starving. It floats in brown liquor of the richest
order, such as no Englishman can refuse. Take a sip of pure rum, and you
will enjoy it surely. Say, my brave General, will you come and join me?
It will cure any little disquietude down here."

With a pleasant smile Charron laid his hand on the part of h