e catches us skylarking aloft," observed Gerald.

"He'll not venture on such an impertinence," answered Tom. "I vote we
have him."

Though there were some dissentient voices, the majority were in favour
of the spider-monkey. A dollar was asked, a high price for a monkey,
considering that hundreds are caught in the woods to be cooked for
dinner; but then, as the Carib tried to explain, this one was civilised,
and his education had cost something, though he could neither read nor
write at present; but he might do so, if the young gentlemen would take
the trouble of teaching him. The Indian's arguments prevailed. A
dollar was quickly collected, Tom paying twice as much as any one else,
that he might have a proportionate interest in the beast; and Master
Spider, as he was forthwith called, became the midshipmen's monkey.
Poor Master Spider, he little knew the fate awaiting him. Now he was
theirs, the question was what to do with him till they returned on
board. Should they take him with them into the country, he would to a
certainty be off among his native woods, they agreed. They modestly
requested several shop-keepers in the neighbourhood to take charge of
him, but all declined the trust. They bought, however, of a saddler a
chain and strap to assist in securing their captive. At first they were
going to put the strap round the monkey's neck; but the Carib hinted
that if they did, Master Spider would be throttled, and so it was
fastened round his loins, he ungratefully giving Paddy Desmond, who
performed the operation, a severe bite in return.

"Ye baste, what do ye mane by that?" exclaimed Paddy, in a voice which
made Master Spider spring back as far as his chain would allow to the
top of a saddle, where he sat vehemently jabbering away, as if offering
a full explanation of his conduct, amid the laughter of the rest of the
party. Norris proposed hiring a sitting-room for him at an inn; but a
somewhat high price being asked for the accommodation, it was at length
determined to take him with them now that he could not escape, each one
agreeing to carry him by turns.

"But you fellows are not going to walk about all day, I hope. I vote we
have a ride," exclaimed Norris.

The proposal was agreed to. Six procured steeds--rather sorry jades;
for the sagacious owners, having some experience of the way naval
officers are apt to ride, would not bring out their best horses, but the
midshipmen did not care about th