"Do you ever take anything, Mr. Farringford?"
"Take anything?" I replied, puzzled by the question.
"Anything to drink."
"No, sir; I never drink anything stronger than tea and coffee."
"That's the safest plan; but we old sailors can't get along without a little whiskey. Won't you have a drop?"
"No, I thank you. I never drank a drop in my life, and I don't think I shall begin now."
"Will you excuse me a moment, then?" he added, halting before a drinking-shop.
"Certainly, Captain Farraday," I answered; but I confess that I excused him against my own will and wish.
I stood on the sidewalk while he entered the shop and imbibed his dram.
"I feel better," said he, when he returned. "My digestive rigging don't work well without a little slush."