The ship was rolling fearfully, and he could not stand up without holding on at the front of his berth.

Goodwin, the third lieutenant who was his room-mate, had already turned in; but it was impossible for him to sleep.

Pelham took a match from his pocket and lighted the lamp, which swung on gimbals in the room.
"What are you doing, Pelham ?" demanded Goodwin "It is against the rule to light a lamp after ten o'clock." "I know it; but I'm not going to blunder round here, and have my brains knocked out in the dark," growled Pelham.
"Put the light out; you will get into trouble," remonstrated his room-mate.
"I won't do it." "What are you going to do ?" "Go to sleep, Goodwin, and don't bother me." "What's the matter, Pelham?
What ails you?
I never knew you to think of breaking one of the rules before." "I should like to break them all, as Moses did the ten commandments.

I have been insulted." "Who insulted you ?" "The captain." "Gordon ?" asked Goodwin, in astonishment "Yes." "I never knew him to do such a thing as that.

I think you didn't understand him; or he must have been excited by the gale." "It was before it came on to blow very hard," replied Pelham, seating himself on a stool, and bracing his feet against the front of the berth to prevent being thrown down.
"What did he do ?" "He snubbed me, told me I knew the rule, and was as overbearing as though I had been his servant, instead of an officer of the ship." "But what did you do?
He wouldn't have done anything of the kind if you hadn't given him some provocation." "I told the quartermaster, when the wind was heading off the ship, to alter the course." "Didn't you tell the captain beforehand ?" "Not I." "Then I don't blame him for snubbing you.