They were already in that gay, thoughtless spirit of badinage which comes of fair allowance.
Good humor had laid careless hand on duty, until, the stern restraint of discipline noticeably relaxing, good fellowship had become king.
Their officer lay outstretched at full length upon three camp stools, a fellow long of limb, with face as dark as a Moor.

He made no effort to arise from his undignified position, yet hailed me as though I had been a boon companion of his revel.
"Ha!" he exclaimed gleefully, tapping as he spoke an empty glass against the deck.

"Comrades, 't is as I prophesied; we are not long robbed of the Church.

See, the most reverend Father hath already returned unto his own.

Truly art thou welcome, _padre_, for I fear thy flock were about to go astray without a shepherd.