CHAPTER XI.
A HAPPY RETURN TO THE BELLEVITE Although he anticipated a disagreeable scene with the captain of the West Wind, who, he supposed, had slept off the fumes of the inordinate quantity of liquor he had drunk, he did not consider that there was any peril in the situation, for he had plenty of force to handle him easily.
His curiosity was excited, and he walked over to the companion, where Graines appeared to be gazing into the darkness of the cabin; but he did not interfere with the proceedings of his fellow-officer.
"We don't need the men you have called from the waist," said the engineer in a low tone.
Christy sent the two men back to their former station.

As he was returning to his chosen position abaft the companion, he saw a glimmer of light in the gloom of the cabin.

Graines invited him to take a place at his side, chuckling perceptibly as he made room for him.
The lieutenant stooped down so that he could see into the cabin, and discovered a man with a lighted match in his hand, fumbling at the door of the closet where Captain Sullendine kept his whiskey.
"Is that the captain ?" whispered Christy, who could not make out the man, though he was not as tall as the master of the West Wind.
"No; it is Bokes," replied Graines.

"He must have got out of the deck-house through one of the windows.

He found the bottle French gave him was empty, and I have no doubt his nerves are in a very shaky condition." Both of the officers had leaned back, so that their whispers did not disturb the operator in the cabin.