“Capt. Fairfield sent me to see what had become of Stokes,” said Lawring, as he came into the mess-room. “Well, you see, don’t you?” leered Gregory, whose head was buzzing as though it contained a circular saw in motion. “Here, Lawring, you are a good fellow.” The first officer took the second bottle of Burgundy from the locker (for the first was empty by this time), and filled the glass on the table. Clinch looked out of the window on the deck to warn his companion of the approach of any one who might interfere with their pastime. But no one disturbed them. “Drink this, Lawring,” said Gregory, when he had filled the glass. “What is it?” inquired the quartermaster, as he looked from one to another in the apartment, wondering what could be going on. “It’s the best wine on board of the Ville d’Angers, and as good as you can find anywhere,” replied Gregory in maudlin tones. “Take it, Lawring: it will do you good.” “Thank you, Mr. Gregory: I never drink wine,” answered the quartermaster, as he looked over the three former occupants of the mess-room; and he was fully satisfied that all of them had been partaking of the wine. If the first officer of the steamer was not tipsy, he had never seen a person in that condition. “If you never drank any wine, it is time for you to begin,” chuckled Gregory. “Thank you, Mr. Gregory: I don’t wish for any,” returned Lawring decidedly. “I tell you to drink it; and I am the first officer of this craft.” “Excuse me: I signed the pledge before I left home; and I intend never to drink any thing as long as I live.” “But I am your superior officer!” persisted Gregory, in broken speech. “You must obey me!” The tippler began to be angry, and stormed at the quartermaster in his incoherent speech. “I will not drink wine in obedience to any body’s orders,” replied Lawring firmly. “You won’t! then I’ll make you drink it!” “Dry up, Dave!” interposed Clinch. “What reply shall I take to Capt. Fairfield, Stokes?” asked Lawring, as he opened the door behind him. “Tell Capt. Fairfield, that, with entire respect for him, we have decided not to attend any recitations,” answered Stokes, sending the reply which Gregory had given him. “Don’t let him go till I bust in his head!” exclaimed the first officer, staggering towards the door to intercept the departing quartermaster. “No, no; don’t get up a fight here,” said Clinch, taking his crony by the collar, and detaining him. Lawring did not wait for any thing more; but hastened back to the cabin, where the rest of the watch were engaged in their recitations. “Stokes says, that, with entire respect for you, Capt. Fairfield, he has decided not to attend any recitations,” said Lawring, reporting to the instructor. “Indeed! and did you see Gregory and Clinch?” inquired the astonished teacher. “They were all in the mess-room forward, sir.” “What does this mean? did they assign any reason for their conduct?”