, the
monkey had--to use Billy's words--"just turned in." The barrel held the
two animals tightly, and there they were cuddled up together in the most
friendly manner, Jack with his head right in towards the end, Bruff with
his long black muzzle to the front, and Jacko's tail moving up and down
in regular motion as he breathed.

"Here! you've got to come home," cried Billy, making a dash at the
monkey's legs, but he started back as quickly as he went forward, for
Bruff sprang up, and, twitching his ears, burst into a furious fit of
barking, while Jack got behind him and chattered his defiance.

"Well, that's a rum game," said Billy, rubbing his nose with a rusty
link of the chain he held; "think o' them two sticking up for one
another like that."

"Now, then, which is the more intelligent animal?" said Mark, laughing.

"Well, sir, I dunno, but if so be as you'd take your dog away--"

"No," said Mark quietly, "I sha'n't interfere. The monkey's happier
there than down in your stuffy forecastle."

"Which I won't deny as it is stuffy, sir, far from it," said Billy; "but
when you get used to the smell you don't mind, and I'm sure Jack likes
it. So call away your dog."

"No," said Mark, "you may get him away if you like."

"Well, if so be as I must, I must," said the little sailor. "The men
says they wants Jacko, and--Lor' a me!"

As he spoke he had gone down on one knee to reach into the barrel and
get hold of Jack's leg, but at the angry remonstrative cry of the monkey
as he felt it seized, Bruff made so furious an attack upon the sailor
that he started back and rolled over, to find Bruff spring upon his
chest.

"Hold hard, mate; don't bite. I gives up," said Billy quietly. "Call
him off, Mr Mark, sir."

But the lad had already caught the dog by the collar, and dragged him
away growling.

Just then Jack sprang out of the barrel chattering loudly, and bounded
toward the main hatchway. Bruff followed as if understanding the call,
and as the monkey sprang down the dog leaped after him, but did not
descend the steps so cleverly as his quadrumanous friend, the fact being
made plain to those on deck by a loud scratching and scuffling noise,
followed by a heavy bump.

"That there's the dog," said Billy sitting up and scratching his ear.
"His head's too heavy for going down them steps nose fust. Think we can
catch Jack now?"

"No, that you will not," said Mark, laughing at his companion's troubled
face.