Graines was very anxious to know what time it was, for the most important part of the enterprise was to give the Bellevite timely notice of the coming of the Trafalgar.

He struck a match and lighted a cigar, offering one to the mate, which he took and lighted.

It was half-past twelve by his watch, as he informed Bird, though he did so more for the information of the lieutenant than of the mate.
"I reckon we are all about full enough to go to sleep, and we might as well turn in," said Graines.

"But I suppose you uns mean to sleep on board of the West Wind." "I don't reckon we'll do nothin' o' that sort," hiccoughed the mate.

"We done got a p'int to kerry, and I reckon we're gwine to kerry it." "All right," gobbled the engineer, who overdid his part, if anything.
"What's the p'int, shipmate ?" "Cap'n Sull'dine's sho't handed," replied the mate, his speech turning somersets as he labored to utter the words, for he still had a portion of his senses left.
"I see," added Graines, tumbling over, but regaining his perpendicularity with a trying effort.