d then
returned on board. Jack behaved with his usual politeness, danced till
two o'clock, and then, as the ball thinned, Asper proposed that they
should retire. Having once more applied to the refreshment-room, they
had procured their hats, and were about to depart, when one of the
officers of the garrison asked Jack if he would like to see a baboon,
which had just been brought down from the rock; and, taking some of the
cakes, they repaired to the court where the animal was chained down to a
small tank. Jack fed the brute till all the cakes were gone, and then,
because he had no more to give him, the baboon flew at Jack, who, in
making his retreat, fell back into the tank, which was about two feet
deep. This was a joke; and having laughed heartily, they wished the
officer good-night, and went to the inn.

Now, what with the number of officers of the _Harpy_ on shore, who had
all put up at the same inn, and other occupants, the landlord was
obliged to put his company into double and treble bedded rooms; but this
was of little consequence. Jack was shown into a doubled-bedded room,
and proceeded to undress; the other was evidently occupied, by the heavy
breathing which saluted Jack's ear.

As Jack undressed, he recollected that his trousers were wet through,
and to dry them he opened the window, hung them out, and then jammed
down the window again upon them, to hold them in their position, after
which he turned in and fell fast asleep. At six o'clock he was called,
as he had requested, and proceeded to dress, but to his astonishment
found the window thrown open and his trousers missing. It was evident
that his partner in the room had thrown the window open during the
night, and that his trousers, having fallen down into the street, had
been walked off with by somebody or another. Jack looked out of the
window once more, and perceived that whoever had thrown open the window
had been unwell during the night. A nice drunken companion I have had,
thought Jack; but what's to be done? And in saying this, he walked up
to the other bed, and perceived that it was tenanted by the boatswain.
Well, thought Jack, as Mr Biggs has thought proper to lose my trousers,
I think I have a right to take his, or at least the wear of them, to go
on board. It was but last night he declared that decency must give way
to duty, and that the orders of a superior officer were to be obeyed,
with or without garments. I know he is obliged