"Did Bruff frighten you?"

"S'pose he did, sir. He made me feel mortal queer for a minute. But I
s'pose he wouldn't bite. Here, they may fetch the monkey theirselves,"
he continued, rising slowly; "I shan't try no more; and if his manners
is spylte by 'sociating with dogs it aren't my fault."

Billy Widgeon went forward toward the forecastle in his calm
even-tempered way, and Mr Morgan, who had been looking on from the
poop-deck, came and joined Mark, to stand talking with him as they
leaned over the side gazing up at the transparent starry sky, or down at
the clear dark sea, while they listened to the rushing water as the
great ship glided on under quite a cloud of canvas. The night was now
dark, with the ship's sailing lanterns and the glow from the
cabin-windows showing faintly and casting reflections upon the unruffled
sea.

"Suppose we were to run on to another ship, Mr Morgan," said Mark at
last, breaking a long silence. "What then?"

"If we kept such a bad look-out, and they did the same, most likely we
should go to the bottom, perhaps both of us; but you turn in and leave
all that to the watch."

CHAPTER TEN.

HOW BRUFF SOUNDED THE ALARM.

It was turning-in time, and after a couple of sleepy yawns Mark went to
the cabin to find that nearly everyone had retired for the night.

As soon as he had climbed upon his shelf he found that it was going to
be one of those hot uncomfortable nights when pillow and sheet get
ticklish and make the skin feel itchy. The air he breathed was
stifling, and for a long time he lay awake listening to the rippling of
the water against the sides of the ship. But at last he slept deeply
and dreamlessly, to be awakened by a hand laid upon his shoulder.

"Mark, my lad. Hist! don't make a noise."

"What's the matter, Mr Gregory?"

"Nothing much, my lad; only that dog of yours is somewhere below howling
dreadfully. I want you to come and quiet him."

"Won't he lie down when you speak, sir?" said Mark drowsily.

"No. Come: wake up my lad!"

"All right, sir!"

"Nonsense, boy! you're going to sleep again. Come, now, rouse up!"

"All--yes, sir, I'm awake," said Mark, springing out of his berth.
"I'll slip on something and come."

"I'll wait for you," said the mate dryly.

It was a wise decision, for Mark was so confused with drowsiness that he
dressed mechanically, and suffered himself to be led out on to the deck
where the comparative coolness made him a li