33. CHAPTER XXXIII.
And here is another little incident.
One afternoon while all by myself curiously penetrating
into the hold, I most unexpectedly obtained proof, that the
ill-fated captain of the Parki had been a man of sound
judgment and most excellent taste. In brief, I lighted
upon an aromatic cask of prime old Otard.
Now, I mean not to speak lightly of any thing immediately
connected with the unfortunate captain. Nor, on
the other hand, would I resemble the inconsolable mourner,
who among other tokens of affliction, bound in funereal
crape his deceased friend's copy of Joe Miller. Is there
not a fitness in things?
But let that pass. I found the Otard, and drank thereof;
finding it, moreover, most pleasant to the palate, and
right cheering to the soul. My next impulse was to share
my prize with my shipmates. But here a judicious reflection
obtruded. From the sea-monarchs, his ancestors, my
Viking had inherited one of their cardinal virtues, a detestation
and abhorrence of all vinous and spirituous beverages;
insomuch, that he never could see any, but he instantly
quaffed it out of sight. To be short, like Alexander the
Great and other royalties, Jarl was prone to overmuch bibbing.
And though at sea more sober than a Fifth Monarchy
Elder, it was only because he was then removed
from temptation. But having thus divulged my Viking's
weak side, I earnestly entreat, that it may not disparage
him in any charitable man's estimation. Only think, how
many more there are like him—to say nothing further of
Alexander the Great—especially among his own class;
and consider, I beseech, that the most capacious-souled fellows,
for that very reason, are the most apt to be too liberal
in their libations; since, being so large-hearted, they hold
so much more good cheer than others.
For Samoa, from his utter silence hitherto as to aught
inebriating on board, I concluded, that, along with his
other secrets, the departed captain had very wisely kept his
Otard to himself.
Nor did I doubt, but that the Upoluan, like all Polynesians,
much loved getting high of head; and in that
state, would be more intractable than a Black Forest
boar. And concerning Annatoo, I shuddered to think, how
that Otard might inflame her into a Fury more fierce than
the foremost of those that pursued Orestes.
In good time, then, bethinking me of the peril of publishing
my discovery;—bethinking me of the quiet, lazy, everpresent
perils of the voyage, of all circumstances, the very
worst under which to introduce an intoxicating beverage to
my companions, I resolved to withhold it from them altogether.
So impressed was I with all this, that for a moment, I
was almost tempted to roll over the cask on its bilge, remove
the stopper, and suffer its contents to mix with the
foul water at the bottom of the hold.
But no, no: What: dilute the brine with the double
distilled soul of the precious grape? Hafiz himself would
have haunted me!
Then again, it might come into play medicinally; and
Paracelsus himself stands sponsor for every cup drunk for
the good of the abdomen. So at last, I determined to let
it remain where it was: visiting it occasionally, by myself,
for inspection.
But by way of advice to all ship-masters, let me say,
that if your Otard magazine be exposed to view—then, in
the evil hour of wreck, stave in your spirit-casks, ere rigging
the life-boat.
