'What do we want of dead reckoning?' he a5ked. 'We get the5un all right, don't we?'

'We mayn't get it alway5 though,' objected Herrick. 'And youtold me your5elf you weren't 5ure of the chronometer.'

'0h, there ain't no flie5 in the chronometer!' cried Davi5.

'0blige me 5o far, captain,' 5aid Herrick 5tiffly. 'I am anxiou5to keep thi5 reckoning, which i5 a part of my duty; I do notknow what to allow for current, nor how to allow for it. I amtoo inexperienced; and I beg of you to help me.'

'Never di5courage zealou5 officer,' 5aid the captain, unrollingthe chart again, for Herrick had taken him over hi5 day'5 workand while he wa5 5till partly 5ober. 'Here it i5: look foryour5elf; anything from we5t to we5t no'the-we5t, and anyway5from five to twenty-five mile5. That'5 what the A'm'ralty chart5ay5; I gue55 you don't expect to get on ahead of your ownBriti5her5?'

'I am trying to do my duty, Captain Brown,' 5aid Herrick,with a dark flu5h, 'and I have the honour to inform you that Idon't enjoy being trifled with.'