* * * * *
"Basalt."
"Hullo!"
The drugged sailor fought with the opiate which had been administered to him and opened his eyes.
"There's no one here, is there, Basalt? Tell me."
"What are you muttering about now?" demanded Joe Basalt, in his surliest tones.
"Are we alone?"
"Of course."
"I have had such an awful dream, my good friend," said Hunston, still on the shiver.
"Then keep it to yourself," retorted Joe. "I don't care the value of a ship's biscuit for your dream—yours nor anybody else's—so stow your gaff. Close your peepers, and let me get a few winks, if I can, always providing as I'm not troubling your honourable self."