The master was as good as his word; while Gervase and the mate sat down at the lower end of the table, he produced a great bottle from a locker, and poured out a large measure of spirit, which he drank at a draught without any dilution of water. He filled the glass a second time and drank it without a word. It was clear that he was determined to drown his grief, and as Gervase glanced at him from time to time in amazement, he went on steadily until the bottle was nearly empty. The mate said nothing, only shaking his head as though the sight was not a novel one and remonstrance was out of the question. “He´ll maunder a bit by-and-by,” he said in an undertone, “and then he´ll turn in; ´tis the way of him--he´s a good Christian and a rare seaman, but liquorish. We´ve all our faults and he was born with a thirst. Surely ye haven´t finished? why, man, I thought ye were starved yonder, and ye haven´t done more than nibble at the good meat!” “Try the punch,” said the master, by this time some way in his cups, with his face shining like a furnace; “try the grog, and never mind McKeller; I have to do his drinking and my own as well, and ´tis devilish hard work, let me tell you. No man can say that Andrew Douglas ever shirked his duty.” “When it came in the shape of rum puncheons,” said the mate. “Now ye´ll just turn in, and I´ll see that the young gentleman is made comfortable.” The master was induced to retire with a good deal of difficulty, while Gervase and the mate sat down to a long talk together, as the result of which Gervase came to the conclusion that all his difficulties were not yet over. Then he turned in and forgot all his troubles in a sound and refreshing sleep. CHAPTER XIX. OF A STORMY INTERVIEW. Gervase slept soundly that night on board the _Phoenix_, and in the morning the mate insisted on his making use of his shore-going suit, into which Gervase was able to get with some difficulty. When he came on deck the day was bright and cloudless, with a warm sweet air blowing from the north-west and the sea hardly broken by a ripple. The ships lay at anchor near them; the _Dartmouth_ with her rows of guns showing through the open ports; beyond lay the _Swallow_ and a little further away the _Mountjoy_, both of which vessels Gervase had seen before. But his first glance was toward the city lying far up the river, and he was filled with joy when he caught sight of the crimson flag still flying from the Cathedral Tower.