Receiving no reply, he inquired of the third lieutenant, which was
generally considered the greatest authority in a ship--the captain, or
the doctor.

The third lieutenant answered not, but turned his head away, and, by
violent exertion, succeeded in not splitting.

"I'll answer that," said Hamilton politely. "The captain is the highest
in his department, and the doctor in his: now Doctor Staines is strictly
within his department, and will be supported by me and my officers. You
are bilious, and epileptical, and all the rest of it, and you are to be
cured by diet and blue water."

Tadcaster was inclined to snivel: however, he subdued that weakness with
a visible effort, and, in due course, returned to the charge. "How would
you look," quavered he, "if there was to be a mutiny in this ship of
yours, and I was to head it?'

"Well, I should look SHARP--hang all the ringleaders at the yardarm,
clap the rest under hatches, and steer for the nearest prison."

"Oh!" said Tadcaster, and digested this scheme a bit. At last he perked
up again, and made his final hit. "Well, I shouldn't care, for one, if
you didn't flog us."

"In that case," said Captain Hamilton, "I'd flog you--and stop your six
ounces."

"Then curse the sea; that is all I say."