The spirit we know right well, although I confess thou art ever a full bottle in advance of the most of us." I cast upon him a withering glance of scorn as rebuke to his unseemly levity, venturing to lurch a step nearer.
"Hush such vain and impious speech, thou man of war," I commanded thickly, indignation apparent even through my drunkenness.

"Thou makest mock of the sacred teachings of Holy Church, and art from henceforth accursed by virtue of my office.

I pause here, holding converse no longer with such mocking tongue, nor linger in presence of this blasphemous crew.

There resteth upon me the eternal destiny of a human, unshriven soul, and I bid thee permit my passage; 't is the final night of earth for some upon this ship, and I have until now neglected to perform my priestly duty with one of the condemned.

'T is upon this holy mission I would pass thee now." "I truly think, _padre_," exclaimed one of the group, with a careless laugh, "if you had another drink of red wine beneath your cassock you could never tell a prayer from a song; so for the sake of those poor devils yonder we ought to pass you this time without demanding toll." "To whom do you go at such unseemly hour with ghostly consolations ?" inquired the Commandant, negligently rolling a cigarette between his long fingers, and resting back his head in supreme content.
"I give absolution unto De Noyan." In spite of my utmost endeavors my voice trembled mentioning the name.