One of Sadler’s failings was that too prevalent evil among seamen, drunkenness. Soon after the above affair, he got drunk. Being seen by the captain, he was ordered to be put in irons. Sadler was Bob Hammond’s messmate; this worthy, finding his comrade in trouble, made himself drunk, and purposely placed himself in the way of the officers, that he might be put in irons also, to keep his friend Sadler company. The plan succeeded. Bob had his wish, and the two fearless tars were soon ironed together. Nothing daunted, they began to sing, and through the whole night they kept up such a hallooing, shouting and singing as might have served for a whole company of idle roysterers. Being near the ward-room, they prevented the officers from sleeping nearly all night.
As usual, after being in irons, they were brought up for punishment the next morning. “Well, Mr. Sadler,” said the captain, “you were drunk, were you, last night?”
“I was, sir,” replied the offender.
Had he been any other man, he would have been ordered to strip: as it was, the captain proceeded,—
“Do you feel sorry for it, sir?”
“I do, sir.”
“Will you try to keep sober if I forgive you?” continued Captain Carden.
“I will try, sir.”
“Then, sir, I forgive you:” and no doubt he was glad to witness that contrition in his favorite which made it consistent to forgive him. Having dismissed Sadler, he turned to Hammond: assuming a sterner look and a harsher voice, he said, in a tone of irony, “Well, Mr. Hammond, you got drunk last night, did you, sir?”