He had, however, when he joined,
spoken frankly to him.
"I have asked for you, Morrison," he said, "simply for the sake
of your father; but I tell you frankly, that unless my report is a
thoroughly favorable one, you are not likely to be again employed.
I was told that there was nothing special against you, but that in
no case since you passed have you been warmly spoken of. It has been
said that you know your duty well; but they had privately learned
that you were fond of liquor; and although no charge of absolute
drunkenness had been brought against you, it was considered that
you would not make a desirable officer in a higher rank. Now your
future depends upon yourself; if you have the resolution to give
up the habit, you may yet retrieve yourself. If I find that you do
so, I shall certainly take the opportunity of giving you a chance
to distinguish yourself, and shall strongly urge your claim to
promotion. If I am not able to do this, you must make up your mind
to be permanently put upon the shelf."
The admonition had not been in vain, and since joining the Serpent
Morrison had made a successful effort to break himself of the
habit. He had very seldom gone ashore, and when he did so, never
went alone, and always returned at an early hour, and without
having taken more than he would have done in the ordinary way on
board.
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