owsomever, it's just as well not to be here, as it may get
others into trouble. Mind you say at once it was me--I defy him."

Moggy then wished them good-bye, and quitted the cutter, when she was
met, as we have already observed, by Vanslyperken.

"Mein Gott! vat must be done now?" observed the corporal to those about
him, looking at the mangy tail which still remained on the beef-block.

"Done, corporal!" replied Smallbones; "why you must come for to go for
to complain on it, as he comes on board. You must take the tail, and
tell the tale, and purtend to be angry and as sorry as himself, and damn
_her_ up in heaps. That's what must be done."

This was not bad advice on the part of Smallbones; the ship's company
agreed to it, and the corporal perceived the propriety of it.

In the meantime the dog had retreated to the cabin, and his howlings had
gradually ceased; but he had left a track of blood along the deck, and
down the ladder, which Dick Short perceiving, pointed to it, and cried
out "Swabs."

The men brought swabs aft and had cleaned the deck and the ladder down
to the cabin door, when Mr Vanslyperken came on board.

"Has that woman been here?" inquired Mr Vanslyperken, as he came on
deck.

"Yes," replied Dick Short.

"Did not I give positive orders that she should not?" cried
Vanslyperken.

"No," replied Dick Short.

"Then I do now," continued the lieutenant.

"Too late," observed Short, shrugging up his shoulders, and walking
forward.

"Too late! what does he mean?" said Vanslyperken, turning to Coble.

"I knows nothing about it, sir," replied Coble. "She came for some of
her husband's things that were left on board."

Vanslyperken turned round to look for the corporal for explanation.

There stood Corporal Van Spitter, perfectly erect, with a very
melancholy face, one hand raised as usual to his cap, and the other
occupied with the tail of Snarleyyow.

"What is it? what is the matter, corporal?"

"Mynheer Vanslyperken," replied the corporal, retaining his respectful
attitude, "here is de tail."

"Tail! what tail?" exclaimed Vanslyperken, casting his eyes upon the
contents of the corporal's left hand.

"Te tog's tail, mynheer," replied the corporal, gravely, "which de dam
tog's wife--Moggy--"

Vanslyperken stared; he could scarcely credit his eyesight, but there it
was. For a time he could not speak for agitation; at last, with a
tremendous oath, he darted into the cabin.

What