Flash Jack, snatching it from my hand in a
rapture, quickly informed all present what it was; and with much
glee, proposed a nap for the company. Some of them not comprehending
him exactly, the apparently defunct Long Ghost - who lay so still that
I a little suspected the genuineness of his sleep - was rolled about as
an illustration of the virtues of the vial's contents. The idea
tickled everybody mightily; and throwing themselves down, the magic
draught was passed from hand to hand. Thinking that, as a matter of
course, they must at once become insensible, each man, upon taking
his sip, fell back, and closed his eyes.
There was little fear of the result, since the narcotic was equally
distributed. But, curious to see how it would operate, I raised
myself gently after a while, and looked around. It was about noon,
and perfectly still; and as we all daily took the siesta, I was not
much surprised to find everyone quiet. Still, in one or two instances,
I thought I detected a little peeping.
Presently, I heard a footstep, and saw Doctor Johnson approaching.
And perplexed enough did he look at the sight of his prostrate file of
patients, plunged, apparently, in such unaccountable slumbers.
"Daniel," he cried, at last, punching in the side with his cane the
individual thus designated - "Daniel, my good fellow, get up! do you
hear?"
But Black Dan was immovable; and he poked the next sleeper.
"Joseph, Joseph! come, wake up! it's me, Doctor Johnson."
But Jingling Joe, with mouth open, and eyes shut, was not to be
started.
"Bless my soul!" he exclaimed, with uplifted hands and cane, "what's
got into 'em? I say, men" - he shouted, running up and down - "come to
life, men! what under the sun's the matter with you?" and he struck
the stocks, and bawled with increased vigour.
At last he paused, folded his hands over the head of his cane, and
steadfastly gazed upon us. The notes of the nasal orchestra were
rising and falling upon his ear, and a new idea suggested itself.
"Yes, yes; the rascals must have been getting boozy. Well, it's none
of my business - I'll be off;" and off he went.
No sooner was he out of sight, than nearly all started to their feet,
and a hearty laugh ensued.
Like myself, most of them had been watching the event from under a sly
eyelid. By this time, too, Doctor Long Ghost was as wide awake as
anybody. What were his reasons for taking laudanum, - if, indeed, he
took any whatever, - is best known to himself; and, as it is neither
mine nor the reader's business, we will say no more about it.
CHAPTER XXXVI.
WE ARE CARRIED BEFORE THE CONSUL AND CAPTAIN
WE HAD been inmates of the Calabooza Beretanee about two weeks, when,
one morning, Captain Bob, coming from the bath, in a state of utter
nudity, brought into the building an armful of old tappa, and began
to dress to go out.
