nd the ship began to recede from the shore. O, Harry,
could you leave the companion of your infancy thus, made fast to a yard
rope, to shiver in the night air? It was his only alternative, for in
taking Neptune with him he well knew would be robbing the household of
one more endearment. No sooner had the ship started from her moorings,
and Nep saw that his master was being borne away, than he gave a piteous
howl, and with one bound parted the line which held him, and plunging
into the tide, made vigorous attempts to reach the ship.

"Breakers on the larboard bow!" sung out the captain, who stood laughing
to see the labors of the poor animal, who was becoming exhausted; "let's
see who'll have the first harpoon!" and he hurled a billet at the dog's
head as he was going down for the second time. Harry, seeing the action,
cried out, "Save him! who will save my poor Nep?" and fell fainting upon
the deck. Fortunately the hard-hearted man had missed his mark for once,
and by the light of the moon, the poor fellow was seen, just under the
bows, struggling feebly, as if about to give up, when an old tar, who
had heard Harry's cry for help, sprang with the rapidity of thought, and
seizing a rope, made it into a slip-noose, throwing it over the dog's
head, nearly strangling him as he drew him out of the water. Together
they lay motionless upon the deck, Harry and Nep, when the captain
coming along would have stumbled over them, had he not caught at a
halliard near by.

"What in the name of things unheard of, is all this?" exclaimed he,
with an oath; "this indeed is a curious beginning for the little
land-lubber! I've the greatest mind to set him ashore, to come to his
senses at his leisure, and if I'm not greatly mistaken, he's but a young
runaway at best; but we might as well keep him now, he'll do for testing
the strength of our cats, and as for that other critter, Mr. Sampson,
you may hand him over to the steward, and tell him I shall want a nice
over-all when we get out where the ice makes an inch a minute."

Mr. Sampson, who had shipped as boat-steerer, the same that had rescued
old Nep from drowning, lifted Harry in his arms, and carrying him below,
laid him in his own hammock, where he also brought the dog, who was
apparently lifeless, and laid him by his side. It was a long time before
Harry was restored to consciousness, and when he had gained strength
sufficient to raise himself upon one arm, he looked around in the
da