,
experience, gained higher knowledge in the art of marine warfare and
ship diplomacy, he became much more formidable in his attacks on the
"corps," and generally contrived to keep himself well beyond the reach
of the sergeant's merciless ratan. One of the favourite pranks of the
sailors was to place him near the break of the forecastle, with a
handspike, taken from the bow-chaser gun, in his paws. It was quite as
much as he could carry, and far more than he could use as a missile
against the royals; but he was soon instructed in a method of
employing it, which always grievously annoyed the enemy.
Theoretically, I presume poor Jacko knew no more of the laws of
gravitation, than his friends, the seamen, did of centrifugal action,
when swinging round the hand-lead to gain soundings, by pitching it
far forward into the water; but both the monkey and his wicked
associates knew very well, that if a handspike were held across the
top of the forecastle ladder, and let go when a person was about
half-way down it, the heels of the said individual would be sure to
bring up, or stop the bar. The unhappy marine, therefore, who happened
to be descending the steps when Jacko let his handspike fall,
generally got the skin taken off his heels, or his instep, according
as his rear or his front was turned towards the foe. The instant Jacko
let go his hold, and the law of gravitation began to act, so that the
handspike was heard to rattle down the ladder, off he jumped to the
bow of the barge, overlooking the spot, and there sat, with his neck
stretched out, his eyes starting from his head, and his lips drawn
back, till his teeth, displayed from ear to ear, rapped against one
another like a pair of castanets in a bolero, under the influence of
the most ecstatic alarm, curiously mixed up with the joy of complete
success. The poor wounded Gulpin, in the mean time, rubbed his ankles
as he fired off a volley of imprecations, the only effect of which was
to increase the number of his audience, grinning and laughing in
chorus with the terrified mischief-monger.

I remember seeing a marine, of more than usual activity, and who had
before been served this trick, catch hold of the end of the weather
middle stay-sail sheet, hanging from the booms, and, before Jacko
knew what he was about, succeed in giving him such a cut across his
sconce as the animal never forgot or forgave. Next morning the monkey
stowed himself away behind the pumps, till the