s hand for more.
This time he give him one full o' snuff, but Jack tasted the tar as
stopped up the hole, and was too many for him. He wouldn't crack it,
but chucked it away. I thought it was only a bad one, for I never smelt
the snuff; but what does my mate do but begs a bit o' wheeling sacks o'
the steward."

"A bit of what?" said Mark.

"Wheeling sacks, sir; what they fastens up letters with."

"Oh, sealing wax," cried Mark.

"Yes, sir, I said so--sealing wax, and stops up the holes with that.
Jack didn't taste that, and first time he cracks one o' them bad uns he
gets his mouth full o' snuff, and there he was a-coughing and sneezing
for 'bout half an hour, while as soon as he see as it was a trick, he
jumps on my back and bites me in the neck, and runs away to get up in
the rigging and swear--oh my eye, but he did swear!"

"Nonsense, Billy! a monkey can't swear."

"But he did, sir. He went on calling us all the names he could lay his
tongue to in monkey, and whenever my mate give him nuts again, he used
to crack 'em on the deck with a marline-spike. Then my mate used to try
it on with other tricks, but I wouldn't have it, and I've had no end o'
rows with my messmates on account o' that little chap, for I've got to
love him like a brother a'most--ah, more than you do your dog; but he's
that howdacious artful that I get ashamed on him. He aren't got no more
morals than a lobster, as would pinch his best friend's finger off as
soon as look at him."

"And Jack bites you, then, same as he would anyone else?"

"More, sir; ever so much more. Why, I'm all over his bites."

"And so you think he's shamming?" said Mark.

"I'm sure of it, and I'm a-going to cure him."

"What will you do?"

"Well, I shall try him easy-like at first, sir, and if that don't do I
shall try rope's end."

"No, no, do it by kindness, Billy," said Mark.

"Well, that would be kindness, sir. Monkey's only a monkey, but even a
monkey ought to be taught to have some morals. You come along o' me."

Mark leaped down, and followed the little sailor back to where Jack was
lying watching them; and as soon as they reached the spot, Billy bent
down, placed his hands upon his knees, and poured forth a stream of the
most voluble vituperation ever invented by man. He called the monkey
all the lazy, idle, good-for-nothing swabs, lubbers, and humbugs
possible, while the effect was droll in the extreme.

At first the little animal chattered