"Indeed, then it must be a whole puncheon--that will last a long while."
"But do you mean to say that you really like to drink that stuff?"
inquired I.
"Do I like to drink it? Yes, it is good for men, but it's death to
little boys. It will kill you. Don't you get fond of it. Now promise
me that you will never drink a drop of it. You must not get fond of it,
or some sad accident will happen to you."
"I don't think you need fear my drinking it," replied I. "I have had
one taste, as I told you, and it nearly burnt my mouth. I shan't touch
it again."
"That's right," replied Jackson, taking another quantity into his mouth.
"You are not old enough for it; by-and-bye, when you are as old as I
am, you may drink it, then it will do you good. Now, I'll go to bed,
it's time for bed. Bring the pannikin after me and put it by my side.
Take care you don't spill any of it."
Jackson crawled to his bed and I followed him with the pannikin, and put
it by his side, as he requested, and I returned to my own resting-place,
without, however, having the least inclination to sleep, having slept so
long during the day.
At first Jackson was quiet, but I heard him occasionally applying to the
pannikin, which held, I should say, about three half-pints of liquor.
At last he commenced singing a sea-song; I was much surprised, as I had
never heard him sing before; but I was also much pleased, as it was the
first time that I had ever heard anything like melody, for he had a good
voice and sang in good tune. As soon as he had finished, I begged him
to go on.
"Ah!" replied he, with a gay tone I had never heard from him before.
"You like songs, do you? My little chap? Well, I'll give you plenty of
them. 'Tis a long while since I have sung, but it's a `poor heart that
never rejoiceth.' The time was when no one in company could sing a song
as I could, and so I can again, now that I have something to cheer my
heart. Yes, here's another for you. I shall rouse them all out
by-and-bye, as I get the grog in--no fear of that--you find the stuff,
and I'll find songs."
I was surprised at first at this unusual mirth; but recollecting what
Jackson had told me about his intemperance, I presumed that this mirth
which it produced was the cause why he indulged so much in it; and I
felt less inclined to blame him. At all events, I was much pleased with
the songs that he sang to me one after another for three or four hours,
when his voice became thick, and, after some muttering and swearing, he
was quite silent, and soon afterwards snored loudly. I remained awake
some time longer, and then I also sank into forgetfulness.
When I awoke the next morning, I found Jackson still fast asleep. I
waited for him for our morning meal; but, as he did not wake, I took
mine by myself, and then I walked out to the rock, where I usually sat,
and looked round the horizon to see if there was anything in sight. The
spy-glass, from having been in sea-water, was of no use, and I did not
know what to do with it; nor could Jackson instruct me. After I had
been out about an hour I returned, and found Jackson still snoring, and
I determined to wake him up. I pushed him for some time without
success; but, at last, he opened his eyes, and said:
"My watch already?"
"No;" said I; "but you have slept so long, that I have waked you up."
He paused, as if he did not know my voice, and then said:
"But I can't see anything; how's this?"
"Why, don't you know that you're blind, Jackson?" replied I, with
amazement.
"Yes, yes; I recollect now. Is there anything in the pannikin?"
"Not a drop," replied I; "why, you must have drunk it all."
"Yes, I recollect now. Get me some water my good boy; for I am dying
with thirst."