A PIG'S STRATAGEM. 71 



panion ladder for the boy to bring up my pea-jacket, 

 ' We are going to have a dirty night/ 



" The pig was slipping and tumbling about the 

 decks, for the ship lay over so much with the breeze, 

 being close-hauled, that he could not keep his hoofs. 

 At last he thought he would go and secure his berth 

 for the night, though it wanted a good bit to dusk. 

 But lo, and behold ! Toby had been of the same 

 mind, and there he was snugly housed. ' Umph ! 

 umph !' says Piggy, as he turned and looked up at 

 the black sky to windward ; but Toby did not offer 

 to move. At last the pig seemed to give it up, and 

 took a turn or two, as if he was making up his mind 

 which was the warmest corner. Presently he trudges 

 over to the lee scuppers, where the tin plate was lying 

 that they ate their cold 'tatoes off. He takes up the 

 plate in his mouth, and carries it to a part of the 

 deck where the dog could see it, but some way from 

 the kennel. Then, turning his tail towards the dog, 

 he begins to act as if he was eating out of the plate, 

 making it rattle, and munching with his mouth pretty 

 loud. 



"'What!' thinks Toby, ' has Piggy got victuals 

 there ?' And he pricked up his ears, and looked out 

 towards the place, making a little whining. ' Champ ! 

 champ!' goes the pig, taking not the least notice of 

 the dog; and down goes his mouth again to the 

 plate. Toby couldn't stand that any longer ; victuals, 

 and he not there ! Out he runs, and comes up in 

 front of the pig, with his mouth watering, and pushes 



