They ran short of water, but the vessel carried hundreds of cases of bottled stout.

During three long weeks of boating against the wind those wretched men were compelled to drink stout morning, noon, and night, and never did temperance argument apply with greater force to the seafaring community than toward the end of that enforced regimen of malt liquor.
Hozier, who had aroused her by touching her shoulder, fancied he saw the gleam of merriment in her face.
"What is amusing you ?" he asked.
She told him, though she spoke with difficulty.
"It is not quite so bad as that," he said.

"If there is no hitch in our plans, we should be on the island within five hours.

We have everything thought out as far as may be in view of the unknown.

At any rate, Miss Yorke, if we succeed in getting you safely ashore, you personally will have but slight cause for further anxiety.