In a
very severe storm off a lee-shore, when it was so cold they had to break
the icicles off the ropes to tack the ship, all drank but myself and these
two boys. The men would work very well for a few minutes, and then slack
off and take another drink, until they were all keeled up, and we three
boys had all we could do to keep the ship from going ashore. If we had
drank with the rest, all would have been lost, for the men were too drunk
to save themselves. Providentially, the storm abated before morning, and we
were saved. Now, for many years I have been captain of my own ship, and I
never give out one drop of liquor."--_Captain Brown._
ON THE PLAINS.--Twenty-six men, travelling on one of the great Western
plains in the United States, were overtaken by cold and night. They had
food, clothing, and whiskey, but no fire. They were warned not to drink
whiskey or they would freeze. Three did not drink a drop, and though they
felt cold they did not suffer nor freeze. Three more drank a little, and
though they suffered much they did not freeze. Seven others that drank a
good deal had their toes and fingers frozen. Six that drank pretty strong
were badly frozen and never got over it. Four that got very boozy were
frozen so badly that they died three or four weeks afterward.
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