Fables

Book Excerpt: ...he is settling fast," said the first lieutenant, as he returned from shaving."Fast, Mr. Spoker?" asked the Captain. "The expression is a strange one, for time (if you will think of it) is only relative.""Sir," said the lieutenant, "I think it is scarcely worth while to embark in such a discussion when we shall all be in Davy Jones's Locker in ten minutes.""By parity of reasoning," returned the Captain gently, "it would never be worth while to begin any inquiry of importance; the odds are always overwhelming that we must die before we shall have brought it to an end. You have not considered, Mr. Spoker, the situation of man," said the Captain, smiling, and shaking his head."I am much more engaged in considering the position of the ship," said Mr. Spoker."Spoken like a good officer," replied the Captain, laying his hand on the lieutenant's shoulder.On deck they found the men had broken into the spirit-room, and were fast getting drunk."My men," said the Ca...