o, where she was tethered to the bulwarks, after vainly trying
to make a meal off the well holystoned deck.

There was no reply, the men grinning one at the other, on hearing so
novel a question. "Do you men mean to say that not one amongst you can
milk?" cried the lieutenant.

No one had spoken; but now, in a half-shrinking foolish way, Dick pulled
his forelock, and made a kick out behind.

"You can?" cried the lieutenant, "that's right; get a bucket and milk
her. I'll have some for breakfast."

"Didn't say as I could milk, sir," said Dick. "Seen 'em milk, though,
down in Linkyshire, and know how it's done."

"Then, of course, you can do it," said the lieutenant shortly; "look
sharp!"

The men grinned, and Dirty Dick by no means looked sharp, but
exceedingly blunt and foolish as he shuffled along the deck, provided
himself with a bucket, and then approached the cow, which had suddenly
began chewing the cud.

"Look at her, mate," said one of the sailors.

"What for?" said the man addressed.

"Some one's been giving her a quid o' bacca."

"Go on."

"But some one has. Look at her chewing."

"Why, so she is!" said the sailor, scratching his head, as he watched
the regular actions of the cow's jaw, as she stood blinking her eyes,
and swinging her tail to and fro, apparently quite content; the more so,
that the sun was shining upon her warmly, and the sea water rapidly
quitting her skin for the deck, where it made a rivulet into one of the
scuppers.

Jack the sailor is easily pleased, for the simple reason that anything
is a relief from the tedium of life on ship-board; consequently the
coming of the cow was like a half-holiday to them at the wrong end of
the day, and they stood about nudging each other, as Dirty Dick trotted
up with his bucket, Archy looking on as much amused as the men.

The cow blinked her eyes, and turned her head to smell at the bucket
which Dick set down on the deck, and stood scratching his head.

"Well, sir, go on," said the lieutenant--"Seems to me, now, Mr
Raystoke, that we ought to have cream and fresh butter. Capital prize
you've taken.--Do you hear, sir? Go on."

"Yes, sir. Beg pardon, sir, but you see I wants something to sit on.
'Nother bucket."

"You, sir, fetch another bucket," said the lieutenant sharply; and
another was brought, turned upside down, and, taking the first bucket,
amidst the titterings of the men, Dick seated himself, leaned his head
against the