How these matters were managed by Mr.Campbell, I could never learn.

He was one of those nervous, restless mortals who require but little sleep.

It can hardly be doubted, however, that he sometimes fell asleep in his watch, and steered the schooner in every direction but the right one.

This wild steering during the night will sufficiently account for a long passage, and errors in navigation.
Dead reckoning is of little use when the courses and distances are not correctly noted.

In the daytime, Captain Moncrieff would sometimes steer hours at a time, especially when I was employed in other business or taking a nap below.
The most unpleasant duty I was expected to perform was that of cooking.
I had never been inducted into the mysteries of that art, and was disgusted with its drudgeries.