cabin door, but it was locked.

"The sounds ceased directly.

"We called to the mate, but received no reply for a long time. At last
Wylie came out of the gun-room, looking rather pale, and asked what was
the matter.

"I told him he ought to know best, for the blows were heard where he had
just come from.

"'Blows!' said he; 'I believe you. Why, a tierce of butter had got
adrift, and was bumping up and down the hold like thunder.' He then asked
us whether that was what we had disturbed him for, entered his cabin, and
almost slammed the door in our faces.

"I remarked to the captain on his disrespectful conduct. The captain was
civil, and said I was right; he was a cross-grained, unmanageable brute,
and he wished he was out of the ship. 'But you see, sir, he has got the
ear of the merchant ashore; and so I am obliged to hold a candle to the
Devil, as the saying is.' He then fired a volley of oaths and abuse at
the offender; and, not to encourage foul language, I retired to my cabin.

"The wind declined toward daybreak, and the ship recommenced her voyage
at 8 A. M.; but under treble reefed topsails and reefed courses.

"I caught the captain and mate talking together in the friendliest way
possible. That Hudson is a humbug; there is some mystery between him and
the mate.