'What made you take all the provisions, Mr. Briggs?'
'The captain's orders, sir,' said poor Briggs, who was obviously ashamed of himself and his ship. 'I couldn't help it, sir.'
The two moving wrecks were now almost alongside.
'Clew up the foresail, Mr. Hankin,' said Captain Wood.
The sail was clewed up, and now the Cormorant drew a little ahead.
'I want to see Captain Balaam,' said Wood. 'Is he drunk now?'
The night was suddenly dark, and the figures of the speakers barely distinguishable. Nevertheless those on the fo'c'slehead of the Scanderbeg were aware that Briggs suddenly disappeared and was replaced by some one else.
'I'm not drunk, you swab,' hiccuped Captain Balaam. It was a very obvious misstatement on his part. 'I'm not drunk, you miserable howler. There warn't enough grub for one, let alone two, so I collared the lot.'
A voice was heard from his ship which contradicted him.
'That's a lie. There was plenty for both!'