Unfortunately he had acquired the habit of drinking, and his friends could see that the habit was growing on him.

These friends determined to make an effort to save him, and to do this they drew up a pledge to abstain from all alcoholic drinks.

They asked Pat to join them in signing the pledge, and he consented.

He had been so long out of the habit of using plain water as a beverage that he resorted to soda-water as a substitute.

After a few days this began to grow distasteful to him.