business here but my nephew and me."

"That's what you mean," said the captain, "but how about times when you
are busy, or forget and leave it open? Can't warrant always to keep it
shut."

"Well," said Uncle Paul, with a curious smile, "I have thought of that,"
and going to one of the little casks he turned the tap and let about a
couple of tablespoonfuls of liquid that looked like filtered water flow
into the little glass measure, covering the bottom to about an inch in
depth. "There," said the doctor, holding up the glass to the light;
"just taste that, captain."

"Nay. I don't mind a drop of good rum at the proper season, but I don't
care about spirits like that."

"I only want you to taste it," said the doctor. "It's too strong to
drink."

"I know," said the captain. "Burns like fire."

"Just taste, but don't swallow it."

"Nay--Well, I'll do that. But it looks like physic."

The speaker just dipped his fore-finger into the liquid, and touched his
lips, to cry angrily--

"Why, it's pison!"

"No," said the doctor; "proof alcohol for preserving my specimens. If
by accident any of the men taste that they won't want any more, will
they?"

"Don't know," said the captain. "Maybe they'd water it down."

"Fill that measure with water, Rodd," said the doctor.

The boy took the glass to a big stone filter covered with basketwork,
and filled the measure to the brim.

"Now try it, captain," said the doctor.

This time with a scowl of dislike, the captain raised the glass to his
lips, but set it down again quickly and hurried to a little leaden sink
in one corner of the laboratory.

"Worse than ever, doctor."

"Well, do you think the men will water that down?"

"Not they! One taste will be quite enough."

"You don't think I need label those casks `Temptation,' do you?"

"Nay, sir. If you want to be honest to the lads, I should put `Pison'
upon them in big letters."

"I would," said the doctor dryly, "but, as you say, sailors are sailors,
and I don't think they'd believe it if I did."

"What have you put in it, sir?"

"Ah! that's my secret, Captain Chubb."

"Well, I hope none of the lads will touch it; but it's sperrits, you
know. Won't answer for it that if one of them was helping you to bottle
up some of them things as we shall fish up when we gets into the
Tropics, he wouldn't be trying a sip."

"I shouldn't be surprised either," said the doctor, "but if he did he
wouldn't do it aga