'
"'Better go and draw the liquor yourself,' said he, and, picking up a
ship's bucket, came aft to me. 'The second barrel in the afterhold,'
he whispered. 'And don't drink any yourself.'
"I nodded, as careless as I could. It seemed a rash thing to go down
to the afterhold, where any one might batten me down. But, there
being no help for it, I took the bucket and went. I filled it well
up to the brim from the second cask, returned to deck, and handed it
to the man who stood behind Martin. They took it, pretty
respectfully, and went below, Martin still standing amidships, where
he had stood from the first.
"'And now,' said I, turning back to him, 'perhaps you will explain.'
"'Keep your eye on the helmsman,' was his answer, 'and pistol him if
he gives trouble.'
"He walked forward and stood leaning over the forehatch, seeming to
listen." . . .
[1] Qy. "Bleeding."
CHAPTER XX.
CAPTAIN COFFIN'S LOG--CONTINUED.
Up to this Melhuish had been making good weather of his tale, though
forced to break off once or twice by reason of his weakness.
But here he came to a dead stop, which at first I set down to the
same. But by-and-by I looks up. He was making a curious noise in
his throat, and fencing with both hands to push something away from
him.
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