ions, never even entered into the head of the
captain. Jack, for such was his cognomen, lived entirely with the men,
being fed with biscuit from the different messes. He knew the meaning
of the different pipes of the boatswain's mates, and always went below
when they piped to breakfast, dinner, or supper. But amongst other
peculiarities, he would chew tobacco, and drink grog. Is it to be
wondered, therefore, that he was a favourite with the sailors? That he
at first did this from obedience is possible; but, eventually, he was as
fond of grog as any of the men; and when the pipe gave notice of serving
it out, he would run aft to the tub, and wait his turn--for an extra
half-pint of water was, by general consent, thrown into the tub when the
grog was mixed, that Jack might have his regular allowance. From habit,
the animal knew exactly when his turn came. There were eighteen messes
in the ship; and as they were called, by the purser's steward, or
sergeant of marines, in rotation--first mess, second mess, etcetera.--
after the last mess was called, Jack presented himself at the tub, and
received his allowance.

Now, it sometimes occurred that a mess, when called, would miss its
turn, by the man deputed to receive the liquor not being present: upon
which occasion the other messes were served in rotation, and the one who
had not appeared to the call was obliged to wait till after all the
rest; but a circumstance of this kind always created a great deal of
mirth; for the sheep, who knew that it was his turn after the
eighteenth, or last mess, would butt away any one who attempted to
interfere; and if the party persevered in being served before Jack, he
would become quite outrageous, flying at the offender, and butting him
forward into the galley, and sometimes down the hatchway, before his
anger could be appeased--from which it would appear that the animal was
passionately fond of spirits. This I consider as great a change in the
nature of a ruminating animal as can well be imagined.

I could mention many instances of this kind, but I shall reserve them
till I have grown older; then I will be as garrulous as Montaigne. As
it is, I think I hear the reader say--"All this may be very true, but
what has it to do with the novel?" Nothing, I grant; but it has a great
deal to do with _making a book_--for I have completed a whole chapter
out of nothing.

CHAPTER THIRTY EIGHT.

And with a flowing sail
Went a bou