He wanted to find out just what kind of a gink I was.

He wanted to see how many times I'd let him treat without offering to treat in return.
After I had drunk half a dozen glasses, my policy of temperateness in mind, I decided that I had had enough for that time.

So I mentioned that I was going aboard the Razzle Dazzle, then lying at the city wharf, a hundred yards away.
I said good-bye to Nelson, and went on down the wharf.

But, John Barleycorn, to the extent of six glasses, went with me.

My brain tingled and was very much alive.