te as chalk to the very lips. For a moment we stood gazing at each
other, speechless; then, closely followed by me, Baker staggered out of
the berth into the saloon, and thence on deck, shouting for the steward,
who happened to be forward at the galley. The fellow hurried aft at
once, evidently prepared, by the tone of Baker's voice, to find that
something was wrong.

"Steward," inquired Baker, "how long has Captain Clarke been left to
himself?"

"About a quarter of an hour, sir," was the answer. "Dennis has been
looking after him, sir; but, finding the captain quite quiet, he went
forward to get his supper with the rest, asking me to keep an eye on him
meanwhile. And I did, sir, for the minute or two before this
gentleman,"--indicating me--"came aboard; then, when you both went into
the saloon, I took the opportunity to step for'ard to arrange with the
doctor," (the cook) "about the supper for the saloon. I hope nothing
has gone wrong, sir."

"Captain Clarke has cut his throat, and is stone dead," said Baker.
"Call Dennis aft at once."

The steward hurried away; and in less than a minute the man Dennis made
his appearance, followed as far aft as the mainmast by all hands. He
was at once rigorously examined by Baker as to the condition and
behaviour of his charge; and his replies went to show that when he went
on watch at eight bells he found the patient perfectly quiet, but
evidently--so at least he judged--quite unaware of his situation and
surroundings. The captain, he said, was then seated on the sofa in the
cabin, with his hands clasped before him, his elbows resting on his
knees, his body inclined forward, and his eyes fixed upon the carpet at
his feet; in that attitude he had remained continuously, and in that
attitude he had been when he (Dennis) left him. This was all that was
to be got out of the man, except protestations that when he left the
captain alone he believed he might do so with perfect safety, and
expressions of the deepest regret at the dreadful thing that had
happened.

A few of the men--Captain Baker's two mates, the boatswain, carpenter,
and sailmaker of the ship, and one of the able seamen--were then
conducted into the cabin to view the body and have explained to them its
position when we entered, and so on; and then another entry in the
official log, detailing the tragedy, became necessary; which entry I
also attested.

By this time it was getting dark, and one of the men came