Besides, it wouldn't be tidy, and an untidy ship is worse than an untidy house, because you can't get away from it.

But I won't be long." True to his promise, White, bringing with him a heavy oilskin coat and an armful of blankets, speedily rejoined his comrade, who was by this time shivering in the chill night air.
"Put this on," said the young skipper, tendering Cabot the oilskin, "and then I am going to ask you to stand first watch.

I will roll up in these blankets and sleep here on deck, so that you can get me up at a moment's notice.

You want to wake me at midnight, anyhow, when I will take the morning watch." "Very well," agreed Cabot resignedly.

"I suppose you know what is best to be done, but it seems to me that we are arranging for a very lonesome cruise on regular Box and Cox lines." As White had no knowledge of Box and Cox he did not reply to this grumble, but, rolling up in his blankets until he resembled a huge cocoon, almost instantly dropped asleep.
During the next four hours Cabot, shivering with cold and aching with weariness, but never once allowing his tired eyes to close, remained at his post.