Theliquorworkeditswillwithme；thetalkofScottyandtheharpoonerpouredthroughthepentspaceoftheIdler’scabinandthroughmybrainlikegreatgustsofwide，freewind；andinimaginationIlivedmyyearstocomeandrockedoverthewild，mad，gloriousworldonmultitudinousadventures。
Weunbent。Ourinhibitionsandtaciturnitiesvanished。Wewereasifwehadknowneachotherforyearsandyears，andwepledgedourselvestoyearsoffuturevoyagingstogether。Theharpoonertoldofmisadventuresandsecretshames。ScottyweptoverhispooroldmotherinEdinburgh——alady，heinsisted，gentlyborn——
whowasinreducedcircumstances，whohadpinchedherselftopaythelumpsumtotheship-ownersforhisapprenticeship，whosesacrificingdreamhadbeentoseehimamerchantmanofficerandagentleman，andwhowasheartbrokenbecausehehaddesertedhisshipinAustraliaandjoinedanotherasacommonsailorbeforethemast。AndScottyprovedit。Hedrewherlastsadletterfromhispocketandweptoveritashereaditaloud。TheharpoonerandI
weptwithhim，andsworethatallthreeofuswouldshiponthewhaleshipBonanza，winabigpay-day，and，stilltogether，makeapilgrimagetoEdinburghandlayourstoreofmoneyinthedearlady’slap。
And，asJohnBarleycornheatedhiswayintomybrain，thawingmyreticence，meltingmymodesty，talkingthroughmeandwithmeandasme，myadoptedtwinbrotherandalterego，I，too，raisedmyvoicetoshowmyselfamanandanadventurer，andbraggedindetailandatlengthofhowIhadcrossedSanFranciscoBayinmyopenskiffinaroaringsouthwesterwheneventheschoonersailorsdoubtedmyexploit。Further，I——orJohnBarleycorn，foritwasthesamething——toldScottythathemightbeadeep-seasailorandknowthelastropeonthegreatdeep-seaships，butthatwhenitcametosmall-boatsailingIcouldbeathimhandsdownandsailcirclesaroundhim。
Thebestofitwasthatmyassertionandbragweretrue。Withreticenceandmodestypresent，IcouldneverhavedaredtellScottymysmall-boatestimateofhim。ButitiseverthewayofJohnBarleycorntoloosenthetongueandbabblethesecretthought。
Scotty，orJohnBarleycorn，orthepair，wasverynaturallyoffendedbymyremarks。NorwasIloath。Icouldwhipanyrunawaysailorseventeenyearsold。ScottyandIflaredandragedlikeyoungcockerels，untiltheharpoonerpouredanotherroundofdrinkstoenableustoforgiveandmakeup。Whichwedid，armsaroundeachother’snecks，protestingvowsofeternalfriendship——
justlikeBlackMattandTomMorrisey，Iremembered，intheranchkitcheninSanMateo。And，remembering，IknewthatIwasatlastaman——despitemymeagrefourteenyears——amanasbigandmanlyasthosetwostrappinggiantswhohadquarrelledandmadeuponthatmemorableSundaymorningoflongago。
Bythistimethesingingstagewasreached，andIjoinedScottyandtheharpoonerinsnatchesofseasongsandchanties。Itwashere，inthecabinoftheIdler，thatIfirstheard\"BlowtheManDown，\"\"FlyingCloud，\"and\"Whisky，Johnny，Whisky。\"Oh，itwasbrave。Iwasbeginningtograspthemeaningoflife。Herewasnocommonplace，noOaklandEstuary，nowearyroundofthrowingnewspapersatfrontdoors，deliveringice，andsettingupninepins。Alltheworldwasmine，allitspathswereundermyfeet，andJohnBarleycorn，trickingmyfancy，enabledmetoanticipatethelifeofadventureforwhichIyearned。
Wewerenotordinary。Wewerethreetipsyyounggods，incrediblywise，gloriouslygenial，andwithoutlimittoourpowers。Ah！——
andIsayitnow，aftertheyears——couldJohnBarleycornkeeponeatsuchaheight，Ishouldneverdrawasoberbreathagain。Butthisisnotaworldoffreefreights。Onepaysaccordingtoanironschedule——foreverystrengththebalancedweakness；foreveryhighacorrespondinglow；foreveryfictitiousgod-likemomentanequivalenttimeinreptilianslime。Foreveryfeatoftelescopinglongdaysandweeksoflifeintomadmagnificentinstants，onemustpaywithshortenedlife，and，oft-times，withsavageusuryadded。
Intensenessanddurationareasancientenemiesasfireandwater。
Theyaremutuallydestructive。Theycannotco-exist。AndJohnBarleycorn，mightynecromancerthoughhebe，isasmuchaslavetoorganicchemistryaswemortalsare。Wepayforeverynervemarathonwerun，norcanJohnBarleycornintercedeandfendoffthejustpayment。Hecanleadustotheheights，buthecannotkeepusthere，elsewouldweallbedevotees。AndthereisnodevoteebutpaysforthemaddancesJohnBarleycornpipes。
Yettheforegoingisallinafterwisdomspoken。Itwasnopartoftheknowledgeofthelad，fourteenyearsold，whosatintheIdler’scabinbetweentheharpoonerandthesailor，theairrichinhisnostrilswiththemustysmellofmen’ssea-gear，roaringinchorus：\"Yankeeshipcomedownderibber——pull，mybullyboys，pull！\"
Wegrewmaudlin，andalltalkedandshoutedatonce。Ihadasplendidconstitution，astomachthatwoulddigestscrap-iron，andIwasstillrunningmymarathoninfullvigourwhenScottybegantofailandfade。Histalkgrewincoherent。Hegropedforwordsandcouldnotfindthem，whiletheoneshefoundhislipswereunabletoform。Hispoisonedconsciousnesswasleavinghim。Thebrightnesswentoutofhiseyes，andhelookedasstupidaswerehiseffortstotalk。Hisfaceandbodysaggedashisconsciousnesssagged。（Amancannotsituprightsavebyanactofwill。）Scotty’sreelingbraincouldnotcontrolhismuscles。Allhiscorrelationswerebreakingdown。Hestrovetotakeanotherdrink，andfeeblydroppedthetumbleronthefloor。Then，tomyamazement，weepingbitterly，herolledintoabunkonhisbackandimmediatelysnoredofftosleep。
TheharpoonerandIdrankon，grinninginasuperiorwaytoeachotheroverScotty’splight。Thelastflaskwasopened，andwedrankitbetweenus，totheaccompanimentofScotty’sstertorousbreathing。Thentheharpoonerfadedawayintohisbunk，andIwasleftalone，unthrown，onthefieldofbattle。
Iwasveryproud，andJohnBarleycornwasproudwithme。Icouldcarrymydrink。Iwasaman。Ihaddrunktwomen，drinkfordrink，intounconsciousness。AndIwasstillonmytwofeet，upright，makingmywayondecktogetairintomyscorchinglungs。
ItwasinthisboutontheIdlerthatIdiscoveredwhatagoodstomachandastrongheadIhadfordrink——abitofknowledgethatwastobeasourceofprideinsucceedingyears，andthatultimatelyIwastocometoconsideragreataffliction。Thefortunatemanistheonewhocannottakemorethanacoupleofdrinkswithoutbecomingintoxicated。Theunfortunatewightistheonewhocantakemanyglasseswithoutbetrayingasign，whomusttakenumerousglassesinordertogetthe\"kick。\"
ThesunwassettingwhenIcameontheIdler’sdeck。Therewereplentyofbunksbelow。Ididnotneedtogohome。ButIwantedtodemonstratetomyselfhowmuchIwasaman。Therelaymyskiffastern。Thelastofastrongebbwasrunningoutinchannelintheteethofanoceanbreezeoffortymilesanhour。Icouldseethestiffwhitecaps，andthesuckandrunofthecurrentwasplainlyvisibleinthefaceandtroughofeachone。
Isetsail，castoff，tookmyplaceatthetiller，thesheetinmyhand，andheadedacrosschannel。Theskiffheeledoverandplungedintoitmadly。Thespraybegantofly。Iwasatthepinnacleofexaltation。Isang\"BlowtheManDown\"asIsailed。
Iwasnoboyoffourteen，livingthemediocrewaysofthesleepytowncalledOakland。Iwasaman，agod，andtheveryelementsrenderedmeallegianceasIbittedthemtomywill。
Thetidewasout。Afullhundredyardsofsoftmudintervenedbetweentheboat-wharfandthewater。Ipulledupmycentreboard，ranfulltiltintothemud，tookinsail，and，standinginthestern，asIhadoftendoneatlowtide，Ibegantoshovetheskiffwithanoar。Itwasthenthatmycorrelationsbegantobreakdown。Ilostmybalanceandpitchedhead-foremostintotheooze。
Then，andforthefirsttime，asIflounderedtomyfeetcoveredwithslime，thebloodrunningdownmyarmsfromascrapeagainstabarnacledstake，IknewthatIwasdrunk。Butwhatofit？AcrossthechanneltwostrongsailormenlayunconsciousintheirbunkswhereIhaddrunkthem。IWASaman。Iwasstillonmylegs，iftheywereknee-deepinmud。Idisdainedtogetbackintotheskiff。Iwadedthroughthemud，shovingtheskiffbeforemeandyammeringthechantofmymanhoodtotheworld。
Ipaidforit。Iwassickforacoupleofdays，meanlysick，andmyarmswerepainfullypoisonedfromthebarnaclescratches。ForaweekIcouldnotusethem，anditwasatorturetoputonandtakeoffmyclothes。
Iswore，\"Neveragain！\"Thegamewasn’tworthit。Thepricewastoostiff。Ihadnomoralqualms。Myrevulsionwaspurelyphysical。Noexaltedmomentswereworthsuchhoursofmiseryandwretchedness。WhenIgotbacktomyskiff，IshunnedtheIdler。
Iwouldcrosstheoppositesideofthechanneltogoaroundher。
Scottyhaddisappeared。Theharpoonerwasstillabout，buthimI
avoided。Once，whenhelandedontheboat-wharf，Ihidinashedsoastoescapeseeinghim。Iwasafraidhewouldproposesomemoredrinking，maybehaveaflaskfullofwhiskyinhispocket。
Andyet——andhereentersthenecromancyofJohnBarleycorn——thatafternoon’sdrunkontheIdlerhadbeenapurplepassageflungintothemonotonyofmydays。Itwasmemorable。Myminddweltonitcontinually。Iwentoverthedetails，overandoveragain。
Amongotherthings，Ihadgotintothecogsandspringsofmen’sactions。IhadseenScottyweepabouthisownworthlessnessandthesadcaseofhisEdinburghmotherwhowasalady。Theharpoonerhadtoldmeterriblywonderfulthingsofhimself。Ihadcaughtamyriadenticingandinflammatoryhintsofaworldbeyondmyworld，andforwhichIwascertainlyasfittedasthetwoladswhohaddrunkwithme。Ihadgotbehindmen’ssouls。Ihadgotbehindmyownsoulandfoundunguessedpotenciesandgreatnesses。
Yes，thatdaystoodoutaboveallmyotherdays。Tothisdayitsostandsout。Thememoryofitisbrandedinmybrain。Butthepriceexactedwastoohigh。Irefusedtoplayandpay，andreturnedtomycannon-ballsandtaffy-slabs。Thepointisthatallthechemistryofmyhealthy，normalbodydrovemeawayfromalcohol。Thestuffdidn’tagreewithme。Itwasabominable。
But，despitethis，circumstancewastocontinuetodrivemetowardJohnBarleycorn，todrivemeagainandagain，until，afterlongyears，thetimeshouldcomewhenIwouldlookupJohnBarleycornineveryhauntofmen——lookhimupandhailhimgladlyasbenefactorandfriend。Anddetestandhatehimallthetime。
Yes，heisastrangefriend，JohnBarleycorn。
CHAPTERVII
Iwasbarelyturnedfifteen，andworkinglonghoursinacannery。
Monthinandmonthout，theshortestdayIeverworkedwastenhours。Whentotenhoursofactualworkatamachineisaddedthenoonhour；thewalkingtoworkandwalkinghomefromwork；thegettingupinthemorning，dressing，andeating；theeatingatnight，undressing，andgoingtobed，thereremainsnomorethantheninehoursoutofthetwenty-fourrequiredbyahealthyyoungsterforsleep。Outofthoseninehours，afterIwasinbedanderemyeyesdrowsedshut，Imanagedtostealalittletimeforreading。
ButmanyanightIdidnotknockoffworkuntilmidnight。OnoccasionIworkedeighteenandtwentyhoursonastretch。OnceI
workedatmymachineforthirty-sixconsecutivehours。AndtherewereweeksonendwhenIneverknockedoffworkearlierthaneleveno’clock，gothomeandinbedathalfaftermidnight，andwascalledathalf-pastfivetodress，eat，walktowork，andbeatmymachineatseveno’clockwhistleblow。
Nomomentsheretobestolenformybelovedbooks。AndwhathadJohnBarleycorntodowithsuchstrenuous，Stoictoilofaladjustturnedfifteen？Hehadeverythingtodowithit。Letmeshowyou。Iaskedmyselfifthiswerethemeaningoflife——tobeawork-beast？IknewofnohorseinthecityofOaklandthatworkedthehoursIworked。Ifthiswereliving，Iwasentirelyunenamouredofit。Irememberedmyskiff，lyingidleandaccumulatingbarnaclesattheboat-wharf；Irememberedthewindthatbleweverydayonthebay，thesunrisesandsunsetsIneversaw；thebiteofthesaltairinmynostrils，thebiteofthesaltwateronmyfleshwhenIplungedoverside；Irememberedallthebeautyandthewonderandthesense-delightsoftheworlddeniedme。Therewasonlyonewaytoescapemydeadeningtoil。Imustgetoutandawayonthewater。Imustearnmybreadonthewater。
AndthewayofthewaterledinevitablytoJohnBarleycorn。Ididnotknowthis。AndwhenIdidlearnit，Iwascourageousenoughnottoretreatbacktomybestiallifeatthemachine。
Iwantedtobewherethewindsofadventureblew。AndthewindsofadventureblewtheoysterpiratesloopsupanddownSanFranciscoBay，fromraidedoyster-bedsandfightsatnightonshoalandflat，tomarketsinthemorningagainstcitywharves，wherepeddlersandsaloon-keeperscamedowntobuy。Everyraidonanoyster-bedwasafelony。ThepenaltywasStateimprisonment，thestripesandthelockstep。Andwhatofthat？ThemeninstripesworkedashorterdaythanIatmymachine。Andtherewasvastlymoreromanceinbeinganoysterpirateoraconvictthaninbeingamachineslave。Andbehinditall，behindallofmewithyouthabubble，whisperedRomance，Adventure。
SoIinterviewedmyMammyJennie，myoldnurseatwhoseblackbreastIhadsuckled。Shewasmoreprosperousthanmyfolks。Shewasnursingsickpeopleatagoodweeklywage。Wouldshelendher\"whitechild\"themoney？WOULDSHE？Whatshehadwasmine。
ThenIsoughtoutFrenchFrank，theoysterpirate，whowantedtosell，Ihadheard，hissloop，theRazzleDazzle。IfoundhimlyingatanchorontheAlamedasideoftheestuaryneartheWebsterStreetbridge，withvisitorsaboard，whomhewasentertainingwithafternoonwine。Hecameondecktotalkbusiness。Hewaswillingtosell。ButitwasSunday。Besides，hehadguests。OnthemorrowhewouldmakeoutthebillofsaleandIcouldenterintopossession。AndinthemeantimeImustcomebelowandmeethisfriends。Theyweretwosisters，MamieandTess；aMrs。Hadley，whochaperonedthem；\"Whisky\"Bob，ayouthfuloysterpirateofsixteen；and\"Spider\"Healey，ablack-whiskeredwharf-ratoftwenty。Mamie，whowasSpider’sniece，wascalledtheQueenoftheOysterPirates，and，onoccasion，presidedattheirrevels。FrenchFrankwasinlovewithher，thoughIdidnotknowitatthetime；andshesteadfastlyrefusedtomarryhim。
FrenchFrankpouredatumblerofredwinefromabigdemijohntodrinktoourtransaction。IrememberedtheredwineoftheItalianrancho，andshudderedinwardly。Whiskyandbeerwerenotquitesorepulsive。ButtheQueenoftheOysterPirateswaslookingatme，apart-emptiedglassinherownhand。Ihadmypride。IfIwasonlyfifteen，atleastIcouldnotshowmyselfanylessamanthanshe。Besides，therewerehersister，andMrs。
Hadley，andtheyoungoysterpirate，andthewhiskeredwharf-rat，allwithglassesintheirhands。WasIamilk-and-watersop？No；
athousandtimesno，andathousandglassesno。Idownedthetumblerfullikeaman。
FrenchFrankwaselatedbythesale，whichIhadboundwithatwenty-dollargoldpiece。Hepouredmorewine。Ihadlearnedmystrongheadandstomach，andIwascertainIcoulddrinkwiththeminatemperatewayandnotpoisonmyselfforaweektocome。I
couldstandasmuchasthey；andbesides，theyhadalreadybeendrinkingforsometime。
Wegottosinging。Spidersang\"TheBostonBurglar\"and\"BlackLulu。\"TheQueensang\"ThenIWishtIWereaLittleBird。\"AndhersisterTesssang\"Oh，TreatMyDaughterKindily。\"Thefungrewfastandfurious。Ifoundmyselfabletomissdrinkswithoutbeingnoticedorcalledtoaccount。Also，standinginthecompanionway，headandshouldersoutandglassinhand，Icouldflingthewineoverboard。
Ireasonedsomethinglikethis：Itisaqueernessofthesepeoplethattheylikethisvile-tastingwine。Well，letthem。Icannotquarrelwiththeirtastes。Mymanhood，accordingtotheirqueernotions，mustcompelmetoappeartolikethiswine。Verywell。
Ishallsoappear。ButIshalldrinknomorethanisunavoidable。
AndtheQueenbegantomakelovetome，thelatestrecruittotheoysterpiratefleet，andnomerehand，butamasterandowner。
Shewentupondecktotaketheair，andtookmewithher。Sheknew，ofcourse，butIneverdreamed，howFrenchFrankwasragingdownbelow。ThenTessjoinedus，sittingonthecabin；andSpider，andBob；andatthelast，Mrs。HadleyandFrenchFrank。
Andwesatthere，glassesinhand，andsang，whilethebigdemijohnwentaround；andIwastheonlystrictlysoberone。
AndIenjoyeditasnooneofthemwasabletoenjoyit。Here，inthisatmosphereofbohemianism，Icouldnotbutcontrastthescenewithmysceneofthedaybefore，sittingatmymachine，inthestifling，shut-inair，repeating，endlesslyrepeating，attopspeed，myseriesofmechanicalmotions。AndhereIsatnow，glassinhand，inwarm-glowingcamaraderie，withtheoysterpirates，adventurerswhorefusedtobeslavestopettyroutine，whofloutedrestrictionsandthelaw，whocarriedtheirlivesandtheirlibertyintheirhands。AnditwasthroughJohnBarleycornthatI
cametojointhisgloriouscompanyoffreesouls，unashamedandunafraid。
Andtheafternoonseabreezeblewitstangintomylungs，andcurledthewavesinmid-channel。Beforeitcamethescowschooners，wing-and-wing，blowingtheirhornsforthedrawbridgestoopen。Red-stackedtugstoreby，rockingtheRazzleDazzleinthewavesoftheirwake。Asugarbarquetowedfromthe\"boneyard\"
tosea。Thesun-washwasonthecrispingwater，andlifewasbig。
AndSpidersang：
\"Oh，it’sLulu，blackLulu，mydarling，Oh，it’swherehaveyoubeensolong？
Beenlayin’injail，A-waitin’forbail，Tillmybullycomesrollin’along。\"
Thereitwas，thesmackandslapofthespiritofrevolt，ofadventure，ofromance，ofthethingsforbiddenanddonedefiantlyandgrandly。AndIknewthatonthemorrowIwouldnotgobacktomymachineatthecannery。To-morrowIwouldbeanoysterpirate，asfreeafreebooterasthecenturyandthewatersofSanFranciscoBaywouldpermit。Spiderhadalreadyagreedtosailwithmeasmycrewofone，and，also，ascookwhileIdidthedeckwork。Wewouldoutfitourgrubandwaterinthemorning，hoistthebigmainsail（whichwasabiggerpieceofcanvasthananyI
hadeversailedunder），andbeatourwayouttheestuaryonthefirstoftheseabreezeandthelastoftheebb。Thenwewouldslacksheets，andonthefirstofthefloodrundownthebaytotheAsparagusIslands，wherewewouldanchormilesoffshore。Andatlastmydreamwouldberealised：Iwouldsleepuponthewater。
AndnextmorningIwouldwakeuponthewater；andthereafterallmydaysandnightswouldbeonthewater。
AndtheQueenaskedmetorowherashoreinmyskiff，whenatsunsetFrenchFrankpreparedtotakehisguestsashore。NordidI
catchthesignificanceofhisabruptchangeofplanwhenheturnedthetaskofrowinghisskiffovertoWhiskyBob，himselfremainingonboardthesloop。NordidIunderstandSpider’sgrinningside-
remarktome：\"Gee！There’snothin’slowaboutYOU。\"Howcoulditpossiblyentermyboy’sheadthatagrizzledmanoffiftyshouldbejealousofme？
CHAPTERVIII
Wemetbyappointment，earlyMondaymorning，tocompletethedeal，inJohnnyHeinhold’s\"LastChance\"——asaloon，ofcourse，forthetransactionsofmen。Ipaidthemoneyover，receivedthebillofsale，andFrenchFranktreated。Thisstruckmeasanevidentcustom，andalogicalone——theseller，whoreceives，themoney，towetapieceofitintheestablishmentwherethetradewasconsummated。But，tomysurprise，FrenchFranktreatedthehouse。
HeandIdrank，whichseemedjust；butwhyshouldJohnnyHeinhold，whoownedthesaloonandwaitedbehindthebar，beinvitedtodrink？Ifigureditimmediatelythathemadeaprofitontheverydrinkhedrank。Icould，inaway，consideringthattheywerefriendsandshipmates，understandSpiderandWhiskyBobbeingaskedtodrink；butwhyshouldthelongshoremen，BillKelleyandSoupKennedy，beasked？
ThentherewasPat，theQueen’sbrother，makingatotalofeightofus。Itwasearlymorning，andallorderedwhisky。WhatcouldIdo，hereinthiscompanyofbigmen，alldrinkingwhisky？
\"Whisky，\"Isaid，withthecarelessairofonewhohadsaiditathousandtimes。Andsuchwhisky！Itosseditdown。A-r-r-r-gh！I
cantasteityet。
AndIwasappalledatthepriceFrenchFrankhadpaid——eightycents。EIGHTYCENTS！Itwasanoutragetomythriftysoul。
Eightycents——theequivalentofeightlonghoursofmytoilatthemachine，gonedownourthroats，andgonelikethat，inatwinkling，leavingonlyabadtasteinthemouth。TherewasnodiscussionthatFrenchFrankwasawaster。
Iwasanxioustobegone，outintothesunshine，outoverthewatertomygloriousboat。Butallhandslingered。EvenSpider，mycrew，lingered。Nohintbrokethroughmyobtusenessofwhytheylingered。Ihaveoftenthoughtsinceofhowtheymusthaveregardedme，thenewcomerbeingwelcomedintotheircompanystandingatbarwiththem，andnotstandingforasingleroundofdrinks。
FrenchFrank，who，unknowntome，hadswallowedhischagrinsincethedaybefore，nowthatthemoneyfortheRazzleDazzlewasinhispocket，begantobehavecuriouslytowardme。Isensedthechangeinhisattitude，sawtheforbiddingglitterinhiseyes，andwondered。ThemoreIsawofmen，thequeerertheybecame。
JohnnyHeinholdleanedacrossthebarandwhisperedinmyears\"He’sgotitinforyou。Watchout。\"
Inoddedcomprehensionofhisstatement，andacquiescenceinit，asamanshouldnodwhoknowsallaboutmen。ButsecretlyIwasperplexed。Heavens！HowwasI，whohadworkedhardandreadbooksofadventure，andwhowasonlyfifteenyearsold，whohadnotdreamedofgivingtheQueenoftheOysterPiratesasecondthought，andwhodidnotknowthatFrenchFrankwasmadlyandLatinlyinlovewithher——howwasItoguessthatIhaddonehimshame？AndhowwasItoguessthatthestoryofhowtheQueenhadthrownhimdownonhisownboat，themomentIhoveinsight，wasalreadythegleefulgossipofthewater-front？Andbythesametoken，howwasItoguessthatherbrotherPat’soffishnesswithmewasanythingelsethantemperamentalgloominessofspirit？
WhiskyBobgotmeasideamoment。\"Keepyoureyesopen，\"hemuttered。\"Takemytip。FrenchFrank’sugly。I’mgoingupriverwithhimtogetaschoonerforoystering。Whenhegetsdownonthebeds，watchout。Hesayshe’llrunyoudown。Afterdark，anytimehe’saround，changeyouranchorageanddouseyourridinglight。Savve？\"
Oh，certainly，Isavve’d。Inoddedmyhead，and，asonemantoanother，thankedhimforhistip；anddriftedbacktothegroupatthebar。No；Ididnottreat。IneverdreamedthatIwasexpectedtotreat。IleftwithSpider，andmyearsburnnowasI
trytosurmisethethingstheymusthavesaidaboutme。
IaskedSpider，inanoff-handway，whatwaseatingFrenchFrank。
\"He’scrazyjealousofyou，\"wastheanswer。\"Doyouthinkso？\"I
said，anddismissedthematterasnotworththinkingabout。
ButIleaveittoanyone——theswellofmyfifteen-years-oldmanhoodatlearningthatFrenchFrank，theadventureroffifty，thesailorofalltheseasofalltheworld，wasjealousofme——
andjealousoveragirlmostromanticallynamedtheQueenoftheOysterPirates。Ihadreadofsuchthingsinbooks，andregardedthemaspersonalprobabilitiesofadistantmaturity。Oh，Ifeltarareyoungdevil，aswehoistedthebigmainsailthatmorning，brokeoutanchor，andfilledawayclose-hauledonthethree-milebeattowindwardoutintothebay。
Suchwasmyescapefromthekillingmachine-toil，andmyintroductiontotheoysterpirates。True，theintroductionhadbegunwithdrink，andthelifepromisedtocontinuewithdrink。
ButwasItostayawayfromitforsuchreason？Whereverliferanfreeandgreat，theremendrank。RomanceandAdventureseemedalwaystogodownthestreetlockedarminarmwithJohnBarleycorn。Toknowthetwo，Imustknowthethird。OrelseI
mustgobacktomyfreelibrarybooksandreadofthedeedsofothermenanddonodeedsofmyownsaveslavefortencentsanhouratamachineinacannery。
No；Iwasnottobedeterredfromthisbravelifeonthewaterbythefactthatthewater-dwellershadqueerandexpensivedesiresforbeerandwineandwhisky。Whatiftheirnotionsofhappinessincludedthestrangeoneofseeingmedrink？Whentheypersistedinbuyingthestuffandthrustingituponme，why，Iwoulddrinkit。ItwasthepriceIwouldpayfortheircomradeship。AndI
didn’thavetogetdrunk。IhadnotgotdrunktheSundayafternoonIarrangedtobuytheRazzleDazzle，despitethefactthatnotoneoftherestwassober。Well，Icouldgoonintothefuturethatway，drinkingthestuffwhenitgavethempleasurethatIshoulddrinkit，butcarefullyavoidingover-drinking。
CHAPTERIX
Gradualaswasmydevelopmentasaheavydrinkeramongtheoysterpirates，therealheavydrinkingcamesuddenly，andwastheresult，notofdesireforalcohol，butofanintellectualconviction。
ThemoreIsawofthelife，themoreIwasenamouredofit。IcanneverforgetmythrillsthefirstnightItookpartinaconcertedraid，whenweassembledonboardtheAnnie——roughmen，bigandunafraid，andweazenedwharf-rats，someofthemex-convicts，allofthemenemiesofthelawandmeritingjail，insea-bootsandsea-gear，talkingingrufflowvoices，and\"Big\"Georgewithrevolversstrappedabouthiswaisttoshowthathemeantbusiness。
Oh，Iknow，lookingback，thatthewholethingwassordidandsilly。ButIwasnotlookingbackinthosedayswhenIwasrubbingshoulderswithJohnBarleycornandbeginningtoaccepthim。Thelifewasbraveandwild，andIwaslivingtheadventureIhadreadsomuchabout。
Nelson，\"YoungScratch\"theycalledhim，todistinguishhimfrom\"OldScratch，\"hisfather，sailedinthesloopReindeer，partnerswithone\"Clam。\"Clamwasadare-devil，butNelsonwasarecklessmaniac。Hewastwentyyearsold，withthebodyofaHercules。
WhenhewasshotinBenicia，acoupleofyearslater，thecoronersaidhewasthegreatest-shoulderedmanhehadeverseenlaidonaslab。
Nelsoncouldnotreadorwrite。Hehadbeen\"dragged\"upbyhisfatheronSanFranciscoBay，andboatsweresecondnaturewithhim。Hisstrengthwasprodigious，andhisreputationalongthewater-frontforviolencewasanythingbutsavoury。HehadBerserkerragesanddidmad，terriblethings。ImadehisacquaintancethefirstcruiseoftheRazzleDazzle，andsawhimsailtheReindeerinablowanddredgeoystersallaroundtherestofusaswelayattwoanchors，troubledwithfearofgoingashore。
Hewassomeman，thisNelson；andwhen，passingbytheLastChancesaloon，hespoketome，Ifeltveryproud。Buttrytoimaginemypridewhenhepromptlyaskedmeintohaveadrink。Istoodatthebaranddrankaglassofbeerwithhim，andtalkedmanfullyofoysters，andboats，andofthemysteryofwhohadputtheloadofbuckshotthroughtheAnnie’smainsail。
Wetalkedandlingeredatthebar。Itseemedtomestrangethatwelingered。Wehadhadourbeer。ButwhowasItoleadthewayoutsidewhengreatNelsonchosetoleanagainstthebar？Afterafewminutes，tomysurprise，heaskedmetohaveanotherdrink，whichIdid。Andstillwetalked，andNelsonevincednointentionofleavingthebar。
BearwithmewhileIexplainthewayofmyreasoningandofmyinnocence。Firstofall，IwasveryproudtobeinthecompanyofNelson，whowasthemostheroicfigureamongtheoysterpiratesandbayadventurers。Unfortunatelyformystomachandmucousmembranes，Nelsonhadastrangequirkofnaturethatmadehimfindhappinessintreatingmetobeer。Ihadnomoraldisinclinationforbeer，andjustbecauseIdidn’tlikethetasteofitandtheweightofitwasnoreasonIshouldforgothehonourofhiscompany。Itwashiswhimtodrinkbeer，andtohavemedrinkbeerwithhim。Verywell，Iwouldputupwiththepassingdiscomfort。
Sowecontinuedtotalkatthebar，andtodrinkbeerorderedandpaidforbyNelson。Ithink，now，whenIlookbackuponit，thatNelsonwascurious。HewantedtofindoutjustwhatkindofaginkIwas。HewantedtoseehowmanytimesI’dlethimtreatwithoutofferingtotreatinreturn。
AfterIhaddrunkhalfadozenglasses，mypolicyoftemperatenessinmind，IdecidedthatIhadhadenoughforthattime。SoI
mentionedthatIwasgoingaboardtheRazzleDazzle，thenlyingatthecitywharf，ahundredyardsaway。
Isaidgood-byetoNelson，andwentondownthewharf。But，JohnBarleycorn，totheextentofsixglasses，wentwithme。Mybraintingledandwasverymuchalive。Iwasupliftedbymysenseofmanhood。I，atruly-trueoysterpirate，wasgoingaboardmyownboatafterhob-nobbingintheLastChancewithNelson，thegreatestoysterpirateofusall。Stronginmybrainwasthevisionofusleaningagainstthebaranddrinkingbeer。Andcuriousitwas，Idecided，thiswhimofnaturethatmademenhappyinspendinggoodmoneyforbeerforafellowlikemewhodidn’twantit。
AsIponderedthis，Irecollectedthatseveraltimesothermen，incouples，hadenteredtheLastChance，andfirstone，thentheother，hadtreatedtodrinks。Iremembered，onthedrunkontheIdler，howScottyandtheharpoonerandmyselfhadrakedandscrapeddimesandnickelswithwhichtobuythewhisky。Thencamemyboycode：whenonadayafellowgaveanothera\"cannon-ball\"
orachunkoftaffy，onsomeotherdayhewouldexpecttoreceivebackacannon-ballorachunkoftaffy。
ThatwaswhyNelsonhadlingeredatthebar。Havingboughtadrink，hehadwaitedformetobuyone。IHAD，LETHIMBUYSIX
DRINKSANDNEVERONCEOFFEREDTOTREAT。AndhewasthegreatNelson！Icouldfeelmyselfblushingwithshame。Isatdownonthestringer-pieceofthewharfandburiedmyfaceinmyhands。
Andtheheatofmyshameburnedupmyneckandintomycheeksandforehead。Ihaveblushedmanytimesinmylife，butneverhaveI
experiencedsoterribleablushasthatone。
Andsittingthereonthestringer-pieceinmyshame，Ididagreatdealofthinkingandtransvaluingofvalues。Ihadbeenbornpoor。PoorIhadlived。Ihadgonehungryonoccasion。Ihadneverhadtoysnorplaythingslikeotherchildren。Myfirstmemoriesoflifewerepinchedbypoverty。Thepinchofpovertyhadbeenchronic。IwaseightyearsoldwhenIworemyfirstlittleundershirtactuallysoldinastoreacrossthecounter。
Andthenithadbeenonlyonelittleundershirt。WhenitwassoiledIhadtoreturntotheawfulhome-madethingsuntilitwaswashed。IhadbeensoproudofitthatIinsistedonwearingitwithoutanyoutergarment。ForthefirsttimeImutiniedagainstmymother——mutiniedmyselfintohysteria，untilsheletmewearthestoreundershirtsoalltheworldcouldsee。
Onlyamanwhohasundergonefaminecanproperlyvaluefood；onlysailorsanddesert-dwellersknowthemeaningoffreshwater。Andonlyachild，withachild’simagination，cancometoknowthemeaningofthingsithasbeenlongdenied。IearlydiscoveredthattheonlythingsIcouldhavewerethoseIgotformyself。Mymeagrechildhooddevelopedmeagreness。ThefirstthingsIhadbeenabletogetformyselfhadbeencigarettepictures，cigaretteposters，andcigarettealbums。IhadnothadthespendingofthemoneyIearned，soItraded\"extra\"newspapersforthesetreasures。Itradedduplicateswiththeotherboys，andcirculating，asIdid，allabouttown，Ihadgreateropportunitiesfortradingandacquiring。
ItwasnotlongbeforeIhadcompleteeveryseriesissuedbyeverycigarettemanufacturer——suchastheGreatRaceHorses，ParisianBeauties，WomenofAllNations，FlagsofAllNations，NotedActors，ChampionPrizeFighters，etc。AndeachseriesIhadthreedifferentways：inthecardfromthecigarettepackage，intheposter，andinthealbum。
ThenIbegantoaccumulateduplicatesets，duplicatealbums。I
tradedforotherthingsthatboysvaluedandwhichtheyusuallyboughtwithmoneygiventhembytheirparents。Naturally，theydidnothavethekeensenseofvaluesthatIhad，whowasnevergivenmoneytobuyanything。Itradedforpostage-stamps，forminerals，forcurios，forbirds’eggs，formarbles（IhadamoremagnificentcollectionofagatesthanIhaveeverseenanyboypossess——andthenucleusofthecollectionwasahandfulworthatleastthreedollars，whichIhadkeptassecurityfortwentycentsIloanedtoamessenger-boywhowassenttoreformschoolbeforehecouldredeemthem）。
I’dtradeanythingandeverythingforanythingelse，andturnitoverinadozenmoretradesuntilitwastransmutedintosomethingthatwasworthsomething。Iwasfamousasatrader。Iwasnotoriousasamiser。IcouldevenmakeajunkmanweepwhenIhaddealingswithhim。Otherboyscalledmeintosellforthemtheircollectionsofbottles，rags，oldiron，grain，andgunny-sacks，andfive-gallonoil-cans——aye，andgavemeacommissionfordoingit。
Andthiswasthethrifty，close-fistedboy，accustomedtoslaveatamachinefortencentsanhour，whosatonthestringer-pieceandconsideredthematterofbeeratfivecentsaglassandgoneinamomentwithnothingtoshowforit。IwasnowwithmenIadmired。
Iwasproudtobewiththem。HadallmypinchingandsavingbroughtmetheequivalentofoneofthemanythrillswhichhadbeenminesinceIcameamongtheoysterpirates？Thenwhatwasworthwhile——moneyorthrills？Thesemenhadnohorrorofsquanderinganickel，ormanynickels。Theyweremagnificentlycarelessofmoney，callingupeightmentodrinkwhiskyattencentsaglass，asFrenchFrankhaddone。Why，Nelsonhadjustspentsixtycentsonbeerforthetwoofus。
Whichwasittobe？IwasawarethatIwasmakingagravedecision。Iwasdecidingbetweenmoneyandmen，betweenniggardlinessandromance。EitherImustthrowoverboardallmyoldvaluesofmoneyandlookuponitassomethingtobeflungaboutwastefully，orImustthrowoverboardmycomradeshipwiththesemenwhosepeculiarquirksmadethemlikestrongdrink。
IretracedmystepsupthewharftotheLastChance，whereNelsonstillstoodoutside。\"Comeonandhaveabeer，\"Iinvited。Againwestoodatthebaranddrankandtalked，butthistimeitwasI
whopaidtencents！awholehourofmylabouratamachineforadrinkofsomethingIdidn’twantandwhichtastedrotten。Butitwasn’tdifficult。Ihadachievedaconcept。Moneynolongercounted。Itwascomradeshipthatcounted。\"Haveanother？\"I
said。Andwehadanother，andIpaidforit。Nelson，withthewisdomoftheskilleddrinker，saidtothebarkeeper，\"Makemineasmallone，Johnny。\"Johnnynoddedandgavehimaglassthatcontainedonlyathirdasmuchastheglasseswehadbeendrinking。Yetthechargewasthesame——fivecents。
BythistimeIwasgettingnicelyjingled，sosuchextravagancedidn’thurtmemuch。Besides，Iwaslearning。Therewasmoreinthisbuyingofdrinksthanmerequantity。Igotmyfingeronit。
Therewasastagewhenthebeerdidn’tcountatall，butjustthespiritofcomradeshipofdrinkingtogether。And，ha！——anotherthing！I，too，couldcallforsmallbeersandminimisebytwo-
thirdsthedetestablefreightagewithwhichcomradeshipburdenedone。
\"Ihadtogoaboardtogetsomemoney，\"Iremarkedcasually，aswedrank，inthehopeNelsonwouldtakeitasanexplanationofwhyI
hadlethimtreatsixconsecutivetimes。
\"Oh，well，youdidn’thavetodothat，\"heanswered。\"Johnny’lltrustafellowlikeyou——won’tyou，Johnny！\"
\"Sure，\"Johnnyagreed，withasmile。
\"Howmuchyougotdownagainstme？\"Nelsonqueried。
Johnnypulledoutthebookhekeptbehindthebar，foundNelson’spage，andaddeduptheaccountofseveraldollars。AtonceI
becamepossessedwithadesiretohaveapageinthatbook。
Almostitseemedthefinalbadgeofmanhood。
Afteracouplemoredrinks，forwhichIinsistedonpaying，Nelsondecidedtogo。Wepartedtruecomradely，andIwandereddownthewharftotheRazzleDazzle。Spiderwasjustbuildingthefireforsupper。
\"Where’dyougetit？\"hegrinnedupatmethroughtheopencompanion。
\"Oh，I’vebeenwithNelson，\"Isaidcarelessly，tryingtohidemypride。
Thenanideacametome。Herewasanotheroneofthem。NowthatIhadachievedmyconcept，Imightaswellpractiseitthoroughly。
\"Comeon，\"Isaid，\"uptoJohnny’sandhaveadrink。\"
Goingupthewharf，wemetClamcomingdown。ClamwasNelson’spartner，andhewasafine，brave，handsome，moustachedmanofthirty——everything，inshort，thathisnicknamedidnotconnote。
\"Comeon，\"Isaid，\"andhaveadrink。\"Hecame。AsweturnedintotheLastChance，therewasPat，theQueen’sbrother，comingout。
\"What’syourhurry？\"Igreetedhim。\"We’rehavingadrink。Comeonalong。\"\"I’vejusthadone，\"hedemurred。\"Whatofit？——we’rehavingonenow，\"Iretorted。AndPatconsentedtojoinus，andI
meltedmywayintohisgoodgraceswithacoupleofglassesofbeer。Oh！IwaslearningthingsthatafternoonaboutJohnBarleycorn。Therewasmoreinhimthanthebadtastewhenyouswallowedhim。Here，attheabsurdcostoftencents，agloomy，grouchyindividual，whothreatenedtobecomeanenemy，wasmadeintoagoodfriend。Hebecameevengenial，hislookswerekindly，andourvoicesmellowedtogetheraswetalkedwater-frontandoyster-bedgossip。
\"Smallbeerforme，Johnny，\"Isaid，whentheothershadorderedschooners。Yes，andIsaiditliketheaccustomeddrinker，carelessly，casually，asasortofspontaneousthoughtthathadjustoccurredtome。Lookingback，IamconfidentthattheonlyonetherewhoguessedIwasatyroatbar-drinkingwasJohnnyHeinhold。
\"Where’dhegetit？\"IoverheardSpiderconfidentiallyaskJohnny。
\"Oh，he’sbeensousin’herewithNelsonallafternoon，\"wasJohnny’sanswer。
IneverletonthatI’dheard，butPROUD？Aye，eventhebarkeeperwasgivingmearecommendationasaman。\"HE’SBEENSOUSIN’HERE
WITHNELSONALLAFTERNOON。\"Magicwords！Theaccoladedeliveredbyabarkeeperwithabeerglass！
IrememberedthatFrenchFrankhadtreatedJohnnythedayIboughttheRazzleDazzle。Theglasseswerefilledandwewerereadytodrink。\"Havesomethingyourself，Johnny，\"Isaid，withanairofhavingintendedtosayitallthetime，butofhavingbeenatrifleremissbecauseoftheinterestingconversationIhadbeenholdingwithClamandPat。
Johnnylookedatmewithquicksharpness，divining，Iampositive，thestridesIwasmakinginmyeducation，andpouredhimselfwhiskyfromhisprivatebottle。Thishitmeforamomentonmythriftyside。Hehadtakenaten-centdrinkwhentherestofusweredrinkingfive-centdrinks！Butthehurtwasonlyforamoment。Idismisseditasignoble，rememberedmyconcept，anddidnotgivemyselfaway。
\"You’dbetterputmedowninthebookforthis，\"Isaid，whenwehadfinishedthedrink。AndIhadthesatisfactionofseeingafreshpagedevotedtomynameandachargepencilledforaroundofdrinksamountingtothirtycents。AndIglimpsed，asthroughagoldenhaze，afuturewhereinthatpagewouldbemuchcharged，andcrossedoff，andchargedagain。
Itreatedasecondtimearound，andthen，tomyamazement，Johnnyredeemedhimselfinthatmatteroftheten-centdrink。Hetreatedusaroundfrombehindthebar，andIdecidedthathehadarithmeticallyevenedthingsuphandsomely。
\"Let’sgoaroundtotheSt。LouisHouse，\"Spidersuggestedwhenwegotoutside。Pat，whohadbeenshovellingcoalallday，hadgonehome，andClamhadgoneupontheReindeertocooksupper。
SoaroundSpiderandIwenttotheSt。LouisHouse——myfirstvisit——ahugebar-room，whereperhapsfiftymen，mostlylongshoremen，werecongregated。AndthereImetSoupKennedyforthesecondtime，andBillKelley。AndSmith，oftheAnnie，driftedin——heofthebelt-buckledrevolvers。AndNelsonshowedup。AndImetothers，includingtheVigybrothers，whorantheplace，and，chiefestofall，JoeGoose，withthewickedeyes，thetwistednose，andthefloweredvest，whoplayedtheharmonicalikearoysteringangelandwentonthemostatrocioustearsthateventheOaklandwater-frontcouldconceiveofandadmire。
AsIboughtdrinks——otherstreatedaswell——thethoughtflickeredacrossmymindthatMammyJenniewasn’tgoingtoberepaidmuchonherloanoutofthatweek’searningsoftheRazzleDazzle。\"Butwhatofit？\"Ithought，orrather，JohnBarleycornthoughtitforme。\"You’reamanandyou’regettingacquaintedwithmen。MammyJenniedoesn’tneedthemoneyaspromptlyasallthat。Sheisn’tstarving。Youknowthat。She’sgotothermoneyinthebank。Letherwait，andpayherbackgradually。\"
AndthusitwasIlearnedanothertraitofJohnBarleycorn。Heinhibitsmorality。Wrongconductthatitisimpossibleforonetodosober，isdonequiteeasilywhenoneisnotsober。Infact，itistheonlythingonecando，forJohnBarleycorn’sinhibitionriseslikeawallbetweenone’simmediatedesiresandlong-learnedmorality。
IdismissedmythoughtofdebttoMammyJennieandproceededtogetacquaintedatthetriflingexpenseofsometriflingmoneyandajinglethatwasgrowingunpleasant。WhotookmeonboardandputmetobedthatnightIdonotknow，butIimagineitmusthavebeenSpider。
CHAPTERX
AndsoIwonmymanhood’sspurs。Mystatusonthewater-frontandwiththeoysterpiratesbecameimmediatelyexcellent。Iwaslookeduponasagoodfellow，aswellasnocoward。Andsomehow，fromthedayIachievedthatconceptsittingonthestringer-pieceoftheOaklandCityWharf，Ihavenevercaredmuchformoney。Noonehaseverconsideredmeamisersince，whilemycarelessnessofmoneyisasourceofanxietyandworrytosomethatknowme。
SocompletelydidIbreakwithmyparsimoniouspastthatIsentwordhometomymothertocallintheboysoftheneighbourhoodandgivetothemallmycollections。Ineverevencaredtolearnwhatboysgotwhatcollections。Iwasamannow，andImadeacleansweepofeverythingthatboundmetomyboyhood。
Myreputationgrew。Whenthestorywentaroundthewater-frontofhowFrenchFrankhadtriedtorunmedownwithhisschooner，andofhowIhadstoodonthedeckoftheRazzleDazzle，acockeddouble-barrelledshotguninmyhands，steeringwithmyfeetandholdinghertohercourse，andcompelledhimtoputuphiswheelandkeepaway，thewater-frontdecidedthattherewassomethinginmedespitemyyouth。AndIcontinuedtoshowwhatwasinme。
TherewerethetimesIbroughttheRazzleDazzleinwithabiggerloadofoystersthananyothertwo-mancraft；therewasthetimewhenweraidedfardowninLowerBay，andminewastheonlycraftbackatdaylighttotheanchorageoffAsparagusIsland；therewastheThursdaynightweracedformarketandIbroughttheRazzleDazzleinwithoutarudder，firstofthefleet，andskimmedthecreamoftheFridaymorningtrade；andtherewasthetimeI
broughtherinfromUpperBayunderajib，whenScottyburnedmymainsail。（Yes；itwasScottyoftheIdleradventure。IrishhadfollowedSpideronboardtheRazzleDazzle，andScotty，turningup，hadtakenIrish’splace。）
ButthethingsIdidonthewateronlypartlycounted。Whatcompletedeverything，andwonformethetitleof\"PrinceoftheOysterBeds，\"wasthatIwasagoodfellowashorewithmymoney，buyingdrinkslikeaman。IlittledreamedthatthetimewouldcomewhentheOaklandwater-front，whichhadshockedmeatfirstwouldbeshockedandannoyedbythedevilryofthethingsIdid。
Butalwaysthelifewastiedupwithdrinking。Thesaloonsarepoormen’sclubs。Saloonsarecongregatingplaces。Weengagedtomeetoneanotherinsaloons。Wecelebratedourgoodfortuneorweptourgriefinsaloons。Wegotacquaintedinsaloons。
CanIeverforgettheafternoonImet\"OldScratch，\"Nelson’sfather？ItwasintheLastChance。JohnnyHeinholdintroducedus。
ThatOldScratchwasNelson’sfatherwasnoteworthyenough。Buttherewasmoreinitthanthat。Hewasownerandmasterofthescow-schoonerAnnieMine，andsomedayImightshipasasailorwithhim。Stillmore，hewasromance。Hewasablue-eyed，yellow-haired，raw-bonedViking，big-bodiedandstrong-muscleddespitehisage。Andhehadsailedtheseasinshipsofallnationsintheoldsavagesailingdays。
Ihadheardmanyweirdtalesabouthim，andworshippedhimfromadistance。Ittookthesaloontobringustogether。Evenso，ouracquaintancemighthavebeennomorethanahand-gripandaword——
hewasalaconicoldfellow——haditnotbeenforthedrinking。
\"Haveadrink，\"Isaid，withpromptitude，afterthepausewhichI
hadlearnedgoodformindrinkingdictates。Ofcourse，whilewedrankourbeer，whichIhadpaidfor，itwasincumbentonhimtolistentomeandtotalktome。AndJohnny，likeatruehost，madethetactfulremarksthatenabledustofindmutualtopicsofconversation。Andofcourse，havingdrunkmybeer，CaptainNelsonmustnowbuybeerinturn。Thisledtomoretalking，andJohnnydriftedoutoftheconversationtowaitonothercustomers。
ThemorebeerCaptainNelsonandIdrank，thebetterwegotacquainted。Inmehefoundanappreciativelistener，who，byvirtueofbook-reading，knewmuchaboutthesea-lifehehadlived。
Sohedriftedbacktohiswildyoungdays，andspunmanyarareyarnforme，whilewedownedbeer，treatbytreat，allthroughablessedsummerafternoon。AnditwasonlyJohnBarleycornthatmadepossiblethatlongafternoonwiththeoldsea-dog。
ItwasJohnnyHeinholdwhosecretlywarnedmeacrossthebarthatIwasgettingpickledandadvisedmetotakesmallbeers。ButaslongasCaptainNelsondranklargebeers，myprideforbadeanythingelsethanlargebeers。AndnotuntiltheskipperorderedhisfirstsmallbeerdidIorderoneformyself。Oh，whenwecametoalingeringfondfarewell，Iwasdrunk。ButIhadthesatisfactionofseeingOldScratchasdrunkasI。Myyouthfulmodestyscarcelyletmedarebelievethatthehardenedoldbuccaneerwasevenmoredrunk。
Andafterwards，fromSpider，andPat，andC]am，andJohnnyHeinhold，andothers，camethetipsthatOldScratchlikedmeandhadnothingbutgoodwordsforthefineladIwas。Whichwasthemoreremarkable，becausehewasknownasasavage，cantankerousoldcusswhoneverlikedanybody。（Hisverynickname，\"Scratch，\"
arosefromaBerserkertrickofhis，infighting，oftearingoffhisopponent’sface。）AndthatIhadwonhisfriendship，allthankswereduetoJohnBarleycorn。IhavegiventheincidentmerelyasanexampleofthemultitudinousluresanddrawsandservicesbywhichJohnBarleycornwinshisfollowers。