Talbot de Cholmondeley in the Blues.

"The pearler said very likely he had met 'em, and no doubt he'd remember
their faces if he saw them, but he never could remember names.

"Another passenger -- a Jew -- was trying to buy some pearls cheap
from the captains, but the more the captains drank the less anxious
they became to talk about pearls.

"The night wore on, and still the drinks circulated. Young MacTavish
slept profoundly.

"One passenger gave his steward a sovereign as he was leaving the ship,
and in half an hour the steward was carried to his berth in a fit --
alcoholic in its origin. Another steward was observed openly drinking
the passengers' whisky. When accused, he didn't even attempt
to defend himself; the great Thursday Island thirst seemed to have
communicated itself to everyone on board, and he simply HAD to drink.

"About three in the morning a tour of the ship disclosed the following
state of affairs: Captain's room full of captains solemnly tight;
smoking-room empty, except for the inanimate form of the captain
who had been boozed all the week, and was now sleeping peacefully
with his feet on the sofa and his head on the floor. The saloon was full
of captains and passengers -- the latter mostly in a state of collapse
or laughing and singing deliriously; the rails lined with firemen
who had business over the side; stewards ditto.

"At last the Thursday Islanders departed, unsteadily, but still on
their feet, leaving a demoralized ship behind them. And young MacTavish,