at I was, in Captain
Blake's own cabin. I knew that it was a spot of danger,-- that much
skill and caution would be required to avoid detection; but I employed
myself industriously in enlarging a small hole, till I had secured for
myself a passage for escape in case I should be discovered, and also the
means of free communication with the other parts of the ship.

I need not describe the cabin more than by saying that it appeared to be
a very snug little place. It held both a swinging-cot and a hammock; and
I examined with great curiosity these and other articles of furniture,
as this was the first opportunity which I had had of observing how man
makes himself comfortable. Assuredly his wants are not so few nor his
requirements so simple as ours.

Early in the day the captain came on board with his son, and after he
had given sundry orders on deck, they both descended to the cabin.
Imagine my surprise when, on their entrance, I recognised my old
acquaintance of the Zoological Gardens, the blue-eyed boy and his
father! I instinctively looked, though in vain, to see if they were
followed by Billy and Bob.

Soon afterwards the anchor was weighed, and the vessel began to move. It
was to me a strange and new sensation. I had never before experienced
any motion but that of my own little feet.

Towards evening the motion grew stronger. The vessel heaved up and down,
rocked to and fro; the creaking sounds above grew louder, and were
mingled with a constant splashing noise. Neddy, who had been very merry
and active all day, now on deck, now in the cabin, asking questions,
and examining everything upon which he could lay his hands, appeared now
quite heavy and dull. He complained of headache, and lay down in his
hammock. I thought that the boy was ill. However, he was lively as ever
in the morning.

Our sea life was rather a same one, after the first excitement of
starting was over. Neddy spent some hours every day in the cabin, poring
over things which I found were called books. I could not at first
comprehend why, when his eyes were fixed on the pages which to me seemed
exactly alike, he should sometimes look grave, sometimes merry, and
sometimes laugh outright, as though some one were talking with him out
of the book. When, however, his father read aloud to the boy, or he read
aloud to his father, I could imagine why they were amused, though I
never could find out by what means the book could make itself heard.
I have of