As we sat together in the cockpit, picking the weevils out of our
biscuit, Briggs consoled me for my late mishap, adding that the
"naval salute," as a custom, seemed just then to be honored more in
the BREACH than the observance. I joined in the hilarity
occasioned by the witticism, and in a few moments we were all
friends. Presently Swizzle turned to me:--
"We have been just planning how to confiscate a keg of claret,
which Nips, the purser, keeps under his bunk. The old nipcheese
lies there drunk half the day, and there's no getting at it."
"Let's get beneath the state-room and bore through the deck, and so
tap it," said Lankey.
The proposition was received with a shout of applause. A long
half-inch auger and bit was procured from Chips, the carpenter's
mate, and Swizzle, after a careful examination of the timbers
beneath the ward-room, commenced operations. The auger at last
disappeared, when suddenly there was a slight disturbance on the
deck above. Swizzle withdrew the auger hurriedly; from its point a
few bright red drops trickled.
"Huzza! send her up again!" cried Lankey.
The auger was again applied. This time a shriek was heard from the
purser's cabin.
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