" S--- and I
followed in our shipmates' wake, knowing that to refuse to drink
with them would be the highest affront, but determining to slip away
at the first opportunity. It is the universal custom with sailors
for each one, in his turn, to treat the whole, calling for a glass all
round, and obliging every one who is present, even the keeper of the
shop, to take a glass with him. When we first came in, there was
some dispute between our crew and the others, whether the new comers
or the old California rangers should treat first; but it being settled
in favor of the latter, each of the crews of the other vessels treated
all round in their turn, and as there were a good many present,
(including some "loafers" who had dropped in, knowing what was going
on, to take advantage of Jack's hospitality,) and the liquor was a
real (12 1/2 cents) a glass, it made somewhat of a hole in their
lockers. It was now our ship's turn, and S-- and I, anxious to get
away, stepped up to call for glasses; but we soon found that we must
go in order- the oldest first, for the old sailors did not choose to
be preceded by a couple of youngsters; and bon gre mal gre, we had to
wait our turn, with the twofold apprehension of being too late for our
horses, and of getting corned, for drink you must, every time; and
if you drink with one and not with another, it is always taken as an
insult.
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