"I don't like to back out, but I can't stand it to live in the same forecastle with such miserable wretches as those men."
"Be reasonable, Farringford. Don't you see they are drunk?"
"Yes, sir; and I consider that a serious objection to them; for men in their sober senses would not use such horrible curses as those men use."
"That's it, exactly, Farringford. It's only because they are drunk. When they are sober they will be as pious as parsons."
"If you have no objection, I think I will go on shore again."
"Of course you can go on shore if you like, but you will make a blunder if you do, Farringford. I advise you as a friend. Do you expect the crew will be drunk all the time?"
"I don't know anything about it; but I don't like the looks of them."
"These men have just come on board. Sailors always go on a spree before they go on a voyage. They don't have any liquor at sea. Every man's kit is searched to see that he brings none with him. Before eight bells, to-night, they will all be as sober as judges, and you won't see one of them drunk again till we get to the coast of—to Palermo; and not then, unless we give them a day on shore."
"That alters the case," I replied, perceiving the force of his argument.
"That's one of the best crews that ever was shipped out of New York. You can't tell what they are when they are drunk. Why, one third of them are church members."