He fully understood the reason why he escaped punishment, and it increased his hopes of eventually escaping from the service itself.

Still he gagged a little at the idea of passing for one who peached--or for a _"State's_-evidence," as he called it; that character involving more of sin.

In vulgar eyes, than the commission of a thousand legal crimes.

This gave Winchester no concern.
After dismissing his man he gossiped a minute or two with Yelverton, who had the watch, gaped once or twice somewhat provokingly, and, going below, was in a deep sleep in ten minutes..