There were marine instruments enough in that room to supply a dozen sea-captains, but if the entire lot had been loan'd me, I never could have ascertained the ship's position without asking somebody who knew it.
[Illustration: PLENTY OF TIME.] The partition separating me from the ward-room was built after the completion of the ship, and had a way of creaking like a thousand or more squeaky boots in simultaneous action.

Every time we rolled, each board rubbed against its neighbor and waked the echoes of the cabin.
The first time I slept in the room the partition seemed talking in Russian, and I distinctly remember that it named a majority of the cities and many noble families throughout the empire.

After the first night it was powerless to disturb me.

I thought it possible that on leaving the ship I might be in the condition of the woman, whose husband, a fearful snorer, was suddenly called from home.

The lady passed several sleepless nights, until she hit upon the expedient of calling a servant with the coffee mill.