"No, no, my friend," I answered, thinking there was something peculiar in his manner. "I command this craft, and must keep a cool head on my shoulders, but I have no objection to your finishing the bottle, and taking a second, if you like." In vain he pressed me, for the more he pressed, the more determined I became not to take another drop. I found the wine indeed stronger than I had supposed it was. Besides which, I recollected the major's advice, which strengthened me in my resolution. CHAPTER FOURTEEN. TREACHERY. After supper we rose to go on deck. I observed as we did so, that La Touche replaced the bottle in the locker. I felt more inclined to go to sleep than to pace the deck, but I resolved to take the first watch, that Nash might have the middle one. The wind had fallen still more, the moonbeams cast a silvery light over the ocean. La Touche, who had followed me out of the cabin, joined me, and we walked up and down for some time. At length, giving a yawn, he said-- "If monsieur does not wish me to keep watch, which I shall be happy to do, I shall turn in, for I can scarcely keep my eyes open." "Thank you," I said; "but I cannot disobey my orders, though I should place perfect confidence in your honour." "I am much obliged to you for the compliment," he replied in a hesitating tone; and wishing me good-night, and a pleasant watch, he dived below. I continued walking up and down the deck, doing my utmost to keep myself awake. Seeing Larry, I called to him to come to me. One of our men was at the helm. I asked Larry how the people were getting on forward. "We're all as friendly as bees, Mr Terence. Shure the Frenchmen are mighty pleasant fellows, though I wouldn't be after trusting to them too much. The steward has got some bottles of the crathur, and he's been serving it out pretty freely. I have been afraid that Dan Hoolan and Mat would be after taking more than is good for them, though Dan's head, to be sure, could stand lashins of liquor, and be none the worse for it." "Take care, and not be tempted yourself, Larry," I said. "No, no, Mr Terence, I know my duty too well for that, though the Frenchmen in their love of me tried to force it down my throat." "I wish you could manage to find the bottles of liquor, and bring them aft, or heave them overboard; it would be putting temptation out of the men's way," I said. "Shure, Mr Terence, I'll obey your orders, though the Frenchmen won't be loving me so much, if they find out it was myself that did it."