aid not; but, Paul, I've just been reflecting upon the subject. Here
we are, two men considerably on the wrong side of forty. We have
enjoyed our youth, which is the happiest period of our life. We are now
fast descending the hill to old age, decrepitude and disease--what
avails a few more years, allowing that we are spared this time? Don't
you perceive the _comfort_ of my observations?"

Paul groaned, and made no answer; but even the creaking of the timbers
could not disguise the repeated cleck-cleck-cleck, as the brandy from
the bottle gurgled down his throat.

CHAPTER THIRTY THREE.

Two striplings, lads more like to run
Than to commit such slaughter.
CYMBELINE.

The gales of wind in the tropical climates are violent while they last,
but are seldom of long duration. Such was the case in the present
instance: for it subsided in a few hours after daylight; and the
schooner, that had been propelled before it, was now sheltered under the
lee of the island of St. Domingo, and, with all her canvas spread, was
gliding through a tranquil sea. Again they were collected round the
dinner-table, to a more quiet repast than they had hitherto enjoyed
since they had come on board. Paul had not quite recovered his spirits,
although, when he went on deck, just before the dinner was announced, he
was delighted at the sudden change which had taken place; but the mirth
of his companions at his expense was not received in very good part.

After dinner, finding himself in a better humour, he turned to Peter,
and addressed him--"I say, Peter, I made no answer to your remarks, last
night, when we expected to go down; but I have since had time
deliberately to weigh your arguments, and I should like you to explain
to me where the _comfort_ was that you so strenuously pointed out, for
hang me if I can discover it."

Seymour again had charge of the first watch; and, notwithstanding that
the orders for the prisoners to remain below after dark had been
communicated to them, he observed that, on one pretence or other, they
occasionally came on deck, and repeatedly put their heads above the
hatchway. This conduct reminded him of the conversation which he had
overheard, and again it was the subject of his thoughts. Captain
M--- had one day observed to him, that if there was no duty going on, he
could not employ himself in a more useful manner, when he was walking
the deck, than by placing himself or the ship, in difficult si