about two in the morning
and , `` Bill , Bill , '' like that . It was no easy matter to get him down , for he almost needed to be lifted into the boatswain 's chair , and could n't as much as raise a little finger to help himself or hold on , and once we nearly spilled him out altogether . Fortunately , my old girl had brought some hot coffee in a beer bottle , and this was just like pouring new life down his throat . Our first business was to get him home and tuck him in , returning and making a second trip of the treasure , and winding up all serene about two in the morning , with Old Dibs sitting up in bed and eating fried eggs . When Iosefo reported next morning , Old Dibs paid him a hundred dollars and dispensed with his services , saying that though he 'd always be glad to see him around as a friend , he had no more call to keep him sitting on the chest . This made Tom and me feel good , for it showed he trusted us now , which he had never quite done before . In a day or two he was almost as lively as ever , out in the graveyard playing on his flute , and attending to church work on committee nights the same as before .