But Axel and I wanted to see more of shore, and away we went, leaving Victor snoring.

It was curious, the judgment passed on Victor by his shipmates, drinkers themselves.

They shook their heads disapprovingly and muttered: "A man like that oughtn't to drink." Now Victor was the smartest sailor and best-tempered shipmate in the forecastle.

He was an all-round splendid type of seaman; his mates recognised his worth, and respected him and liked him.

Yet John Barleycorn metamorphosed him into a violent lunatic.