"Yes," said Charlie.
"Well, it sometimes happens that there are violent storms in those latitudes, and the coast is dangerous to approach. Time passed, and although Captain Harvey would have his blow-out now and then, yet there had been no particular damage so far, perhaps because we had had pretty quiet weather. Now, however, we had got into the region of gales, and we all hoped the captain would keep sober.
"But that wasn't to be.
"One morning, I remember, we had a powerful gale. The ship was behaving pretty well under it. She was a staunch craft when we started, and bade fair to see a great many years' service. So, on the whole, we didn't feel uneasy till the captain came on deck.
"We saw at once that he was drunk, a good deal drunk, and not fit to take care of the ship. He staggered up to the mate, and asked him how fast the ship was going.
"The mate reported, ten knots an hour.
"'Ten knots an hour!' repeated the captain, contemptuously. 'Is that all? We must go faster.'
"'But, Captain Harvey,' said the mate, 'there is a violent gale. Do you think it prudent to increase our speed?'
"'Prudent!' thundered the captain, 'do you think I would give the order if I didn't think so? Not a word more, sir, but call all hands, and make sail.'
"Nothing was to be done but to obey.