they did, that is, lay down with them, and in
ten minutes it would have taken as much kicking to awake him as he gave
his shipmates.

In the meantime the ship had it all her own way, and not knowing where
she was to go she went round and round the compass during the best part
of the night. Mesty had arranged the watches, Jack had made a speech,
and the men had promised everything, but the wine had got into their
heads, and memory had taken that opportunity to take a stroll. Mesty
had been down with Jack, examining the cabin, and in the captain's
state-room they had found fourteen thousand dollars in bags: of this
they determined not to tell the men, but locked up the money and every
thing else of value, and took out the key. They then sat down at the
cabin table, and after some conversation, it was no matter of surprise,
after having been up all the night before, that Jack laid his head on
the table and fell fast asleep. Mesty kept his eyes open for some time,
but at last his head sank down upon his chest, and he also slumbered.
Thus, about one o'clock in the morning, there was not a very good watch
kept on board of the _Nostra Senora del Carmen_.

About four o'clock in the morning, Mesty tumbled forward, and he hit his
head against the table, which roused him up.

"By de mass, I tink I almost fall asleep," cried he, and he went to the
cabin window, which had been left open, and found that there was a
strong breeze blowing in. "By de Lord, de wind ab come more aft," said
Mesty, "why they not tell me?" So saying, he went on deck, where he
found no one at the helm; every one drunk, and the ship with her yards
braced up running before the wind, just by way of a change. Mesty
growled, but there was no time to lose; the topsails only were set--
these he lowered down, and then put the helm a-lee, and lashed it, while
he went down to call our hero to his assistance. Jack roused up, and
went on deck.

"This nebber do, Massa Easy; we all go to devil together--dam drunken
dogs--I freshen um up any how." So Mesty drew some buckets of water,
with which he soused the ship's company, who then appeared to be
recovering their senses.

"By heavens!" says Jack, "but this is contrary to the `articles of war';
I shall read them to them to-morrow morning."

"I tell what better ting, Massa Easy; we go lock up all de wine, and
sarve out so much, and no more. I go do it at once, 'fore they wake
up."

Mesty went down, leaving