shoving the other darkeys away, climbed on to the
gunwale of the launch. Then, advancing gingerly until he was right
opposite the cow, and seizing a good opportunity, he jumped suddenly on
her back. In a moment or so, he cleverly fixed the slings round her;
while one of the other negroes, emboldened by his success, threw a noose
over her head, which kept her from plunging about any longer, or at all
events, from butting at everybody as she had done previously.

"By Jingo, you're a smart fellow!" exclaimed Captain Miles with much
gusto. "You're worth all the rest of those stupid lubbers of mine
boiled down together! Haul away now, Mr Marline," he added, looking
up; "I think we've fixed the cow this time."

He was right; for, as soon as the hands on board manned the derrick and
turned the winch handle the poor animal was raised in the air, kicking
out spasmodically all the while, and wondering, no doubt, how she lost
hold of her footing. When she had been hoisted high enough to clear the
bulwarks, the derrick was then swung inboard and the cow lowered safely
on the deck.

The empty launch with the negroes was now cast-off, and preparations
made for raising the anchor again and making sail.

However, this was not the end of the cow episode by any means; for, as
luck would have it, all Captain Miles' hopes of milk with his coffee
during the voyage home to England were soon summarily dispelled, the
career of the animal which was to have supplied the lacteal fluid having
terminated most unexpectedly.

All hands being busy getting the ship under weigh, the animal had been
left standing for the time where she had been set down in the waist, the
sling being unloosed from her and the end of the halter, which Jake had
put over her head when she had been secured, tied to the mainmast
bitts--so as to prevent her moving until the long-boat amidships, which
was to form her quarters, should be made ready for her reception.

Then, when the canvas of the _Josephine_ was once more spread to the
breeze and the vessel was working out from Saint Vincent, Captain Miles
told the steward to serve dinner in the cabin, it being now near sunset
and long past the usual hour for that meal, which was generally on the
table at "eight bells," or four o'clock in the afternoon.

I went into the cabin with the captain and second mate, Mr Marline
being left in charge of the poop; and, presently, I could see through
the sliding-doors leading fr