'I don't like the idea of getting out of an unpleasant position in that way. By-the-bye, how do you pass the time away before hauling the trawl?'
'Some of the men turn in, and others play cards or draughts. Do you care about draughts?'
'Oh, yes, but I won't go down in the foc's'le to play.'
'I will bring the board up here if it is not being used.'
Ping Wang hurried away, and returned in a minute or two with the draughts.
'They are having a sing-song in the foc's'le,' he said. 'The skipper is there, and is a little bit the worse for drink.'
CHAPTER IV.
Charlie won the first game at draughts, and they had just begun a second when the skipper suddenly appeared at the galley door. His face was flushed, and there was a wild look in his eyes.
'The galley is not the place for playing draughts,' he said, and with his hand swept the pieces off the board.