I tossed the old man-o'-war's man the measure, and he proceeded to draw a cupful from the water breaker, which was full and lay amidships.
"It's an uncommon quare taste the stuff has, sure enough," said he, after he had laid aside his quid and drank a mouthful, "Try a bit, Tom," he went on, and passed the pannikin to a sailor next him.
"You're always lookin' fer trouble, old man," said the sailor, draining off the cupful.
"An' bloomin' well ready to get out of it by any way he can," added another. "Fill her up agin an' let me have some. This sun is most hot, in spite of the breeze. Blast me, Jenks, but you're a suspicious one. It's a wonder you ever go to sleep."
The young sailor, Tom, put down the cup and watched Jenks draw it full again. Then he grew pale.
"Hold on a bit with that water, you men. There's something wrong with it," he said. He gulped and placed his hand over his abdomen, while a spasm of pain passed over his features.
"My God!" he muttered, and doubled up. Then he vomited violently and his spasms increased.
I saw Chips turn white under his tan, and Johnson look with staring eyes at the water breaker, as though it were a ghost.
"Knock in the head," I said, "and let's see what's inside of it."
Two men held the poor fellow gasping over the rail while his agony grew worse. The rest crowded around aft as much as possible to see what terrible fate was in store for us.