said the captain; and that day, perhaps because he was excited by the

quarrel, he drank more recklessly, and by four o'clock was stretched

insensible upon the locker.

Herrick and Huish supped alone, one after the other, opposite his

flushed and snorting body. And if the sight killed Herrick's hunger, the

isolation weighed so heavily on the clerk's spirit, that he was scarce

risen from table ere he was currying favour with his former comrade.

Herrick was at the wheel when he approached, and Huish leaned

confidentially across the binnacle.

I say, old chappie,' he said, 'you and me don't seem to be such pals

somehow.'

Herrick gave her a spoke or two in silence; his eye, as it skirted

from the needle to the luff of the foresail, passed the man by without

speculation. But Huish was really dull, a thing he could support with

difficulty, having no resources of his own. The idea of a private talk

with Herrick, at this stage of their relations, held out particular

inducements to a person of his character. Drink besides, as it renders

some men hyper-sensitive, made Huish callous. And it would almost have

required a blow to make him quit his purpose.

'Pretty business, ain't it?' he continued; 'Dyvis on the lush? Must say

I thought you gave it 'im A1 today. He didn't like it a bit; took on

hawful after you were gone.--"'Ere," says I, "'old on, easy on the

The Ebb-Tide