"That's next to murder," he muttered, "fer he couldn't have
kept himself from fallin' asleep out there in the cold, and when
the tide riz held have been blowed out to sea with this wind. If
I hadn't heard him, Captain Cephas never would, fer he wasn't
primed up to wake, as I was."

But, notwithstanding his better nature, Captain Eli was again
saying to himself, when his friend returned, "If I'd only slept
with my other ear up!"

Like the honest, straightforward mariner he was, Captain
Cephas made an exact report of the facts. "They was huggin' when
I left them," he said, "and I expect they went indoors pretty
soon, fer it was too cold outside. It's an all-fired shame she
happened to be in your house, cap'n, that's all I've got to
say about it. It's a thunderin' shame."

Captain Eli made no answer. He still sat with his elbows on
his knees and his hands in his hair.

"A better course than you laid down fer these Christmas times
was never dotted on a chart," continued Captain Cephas. "From
port of sailin' to port of entry you laid it down clear and fine.
But it seems there was rocks that wasn't marked on the chart."

"Yes," groaned Captain Eli, "there was rocks."

Captain Cephas made no attempt to comfort his friend, but
went to work to get breakfast.