“‘It’s all right,’ ses the mate. ‘It’s always like that the first dozen or so doses.’
“‘Dozen or so doses!’ ses old Dan, in a far-away voice.
“‘It has to be taken every twenty minutes,’ ses the mate, pulling out his pipe and lighting it; an’ the four men groaned all together.
“‘I can’t allow it,’ ses the skipper, ‘I can’t allow it. Men’s lives mustn’t be sacrificed for an experiment.’
“‘’T ain’t a experiment,’ ses the mate very indignant, ‘it’s an old family medicine.’
“‘Well, they shan’t have any more,’ ses the skipper firmly.
“‘Look here,’ ses the mate. ‘If I kill any one o’ these men I’ll give you twenty pound. Honour bright, I will.’
“‘Make it twenty-five,’ ses the skipper, considering.
“‘Very good,’ ses the mate. ‘Twenty-five; I can’t say no fairer than that, can I? It’s about time for another dose now.’
“He gave ’em another tablespoonful all round as the skipper left, an’ the chaps what wasn’t invalids nearly bust with joy. He wouldn’t let ’em have anything to take the taste out, ’cos he said it didn’t give the medicine a chance, an’ he told us other chaps to remove the temptation, an’ you bet we did.