4 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS. 



consequence of some mischief on his part. Like all 

 other nautical monkeys, he descended into the fore- 

 castle, where he twisted off the night-caps of the sailors 

 as they lay in their hammocks, stole their knives, tools, 

 etc. ; and if they were not very active in the pursuit, 

 these purloinings were thrown overboard. 



When preparations for breakfast began, Jack took his 

 post in a corner near the grate, and when the cook's back 

 was turned, hooked out the pieces of biscuit which were 

 toasting between the bars for the men, and snatched the 

 bunches of dried herbs with which they tried to imitate 

 tea, out of the tin mugs. He sometimes scalded or 

 burnt his fingers by these tricks, which kept him quiet 

 for a few days ; but no sooner was the pain gone than 

 he repeated the mischief. 



Two days in each week, the pigs, which formed part 

 of our live stock, were allowed to run about the deck 

 for exercise, and then Jack was particularly happy. 

 Hiding himself behind a cask, he would suddenly spring 

 on to the back of one of them, his face to the tail, 

 and away scampered his frightened steed. Sometimes 

 an obstacle would impede the gallop, and then Jack, 

 loosening the hold which he had acquired by digging 

 his nails into the skin of the pig, industriously tried to 

 uncurl its tail ; and if he were saluted by a laugh from 

 some one near by, he would look up with an assumed 

 air of wonder, as much as to say, What can you find to 

 laugh at ? When the pigs were shut up, he thought it 

 his turn to give others a ride, and there were three little 

 monkeys, with red skins and blue faces, whom he parti- 

 cularly favoured. I frequently met him with all of them 

 on his back at the same time, squeaking and huddling 

 together, and with difficulty preserving their seat ; when 



