Howsoever, Robert gave them hearty greeting, and down to the cabin they went, and there sat drinking up to midnight.
'Three lost souls!' said the captain.
'See how they run,' Temple sang, half audibly, and flushed hot, ashamed of himself.
''Twas I had to bear the news to his mother,' the captain pursued; 'and it was a task, my lads, for I was then little more than your age, and the glass was Robert's only fault, and he was my only brother.' I offered my hand to the captain.

He grasped it powerfully.

'That crew in a boat, and wouldn't you know the devil'd be coxswain ?' he called loudly, and buried his face.
'No,' he said, looking up at us, 'I pray for no storm, but, by the Lord's mercy, for a way to your hearts through fire or water.

And now on deck, my lads, while your beds are made up.

Three blind things we verily are.' Captain Welsh showed he was sharp of hearing.