Part 18 (1/2)

Such is the scene, reader, to which we purpose to convey you.

The day was yet young when a large vessel shook out her topsails, and made other nautical demonstrations of an intention to quit the solid land ere long, and escape if possible from the threatened conflagration.

”I wonder when those brutes will be sent off,” said the first mate of the s.h.i.+p to the surgeon, who stood on the p.o.o.p beside him.

”What brutes do you refer to?” asked the surgeon, who was no other than our young friend Stanley Hall.

”Why, the wild beasts, to be sure. Have you not heard that we are to have as pa.s.sengers on the voyage home two leopards, an elephant, and a rhinoceros?”

”Pleasant company! I wonder what Neptune will say to that?” said Stanley, with a laugh, as he walked forward to ask the opinion of the owner of the said Neptune. ”I say, Welton, we are to have an elephant, a rhinoceros, and two leopards, on this voyage.”

”Indeed?”

”Yes, what will Neptune say to it?”

”Oh, he won't mind, sir,” replied Jim, patting the head of the large Newfoundland dog with grey paws which stood beside him.

Jim and Stanley had taken a fancy to each other when on board the Nora.

The former had carried out a plan of going to sea, in order to be out of the way if he should happen to be wanted as a witness at the trial of Morley Jones, which event he felt certain must take place soon. He had made application to Stanley, who spoke to Mr Durant about him,--the result being that Jim obtained a berth on board the s.h.i.+p Wellington, which stood A1 at Lloyds. Hence we find him in the Hoogly.

”Neptune is a wise dog, sir,” continued Jim; ”he don't feel much put out by curious company, and is first-rate at taking care of himself.

Besides, there is no jealousy in his nature. I suppose he feels that n.o.body can cut him out when he has once fairly established a friends.h.i.+p.

I don't grudge the dive off the bulwarks of the old Gull, when I saved Neptune, I a.s.sure you.”

”He was worth saving,” remarked Stanley, stooping to pat the meek head of the dog.

”Yes, I heard last night of the expected pa.s.sengers,” pursued Jim, ”and am now rigging up tackle to hoist 'em on board. I meant to have told you of 'em last night, but we got into that stiff argument about teetotalism, which put it completely out of my head.”

”Ah, Welton, you'll never convince me that teetotalism is right,” said Stanley, with a good-humoured laugh. ”Not that I care much about wine or spirits myself, but as long as a man uses them in moderation they can do him no harm.”

”So I thought once, sir,” returned Jim, ”but I have seen cause to change my mind. A healthy man can't use them in moderation, because _use_ is _abuse_. Stimulants are only fit for weaklings and sick folk. As well might a stout man use crutches to help him to walk, as beer or brandy to help him to work; yet there are some strong young men so helpless that they can't get on at all without their beer or grog!”

”Come, I'll join issue with you on that point,” said Stanley, eagerly, for he was very fond of an argument with Jim, who never lost his temper, and who always paid his opponent the compliment of listening attentively to what he had to say.

”Not just now,” replied Jim, pointing towards the sh.o.r.e; ”for yonder comes a boat with some of the pa.s.sengers we were talking of.”

”Is that tackle rigged, Welton?” shouted the mate.

”It is, sir,” replied Jim.

”Then stand by, some of you, to hoist these leopards aboard.”

When the little boat or dinghy came alongside, it was observed that the animals were confined in a large wooden cage, through the bars of which they glared savagely at the half-dozen black fellows who conveyed them away from their native land. They seemed to be uncommonly irate.

Perhaps the injustice done them in thus removing them against their will had something to do with it. Possibly the motion of the boat had deranged their systems. Whatever the cause, they glared and growled tremendously.

”Are you sure that cage is strong enough?” asked the mate, casting a dubious look over the side.

”Oh yes, ma.s.sa--plenty strong. Hould a Bengal tiger,” said one of the black fellows, looking up with a grin which displayed a splendid double row of glittering teeth.