The horse gave his head a toss up and down, as though he were answering “yes,” and then turned to rub it against the man’s shoulder. “Come along, gray jacket,” called the man who stood at the end of the plank, “it’s your turn now,” and he reached for the halter-strap. The horse walked to the end of the plank, planted his dainty feet upon it, and would not budge another inch. The man coaxed and tugged, but all to no purpose. At last, losing patience, he cried: “Well, you’re a dandy, aint you, now? I’ll get something that’ll give you your marchin’ orders.” He reached for a heavy balestick which was lying on the deck, but before he could administer the blow the stick was wrenched from his hand and flung far out into the blue water. The man looked in utter amazement to encounter a pair of gray eyes that fairly snapped fire at him: “Did you think I was going to let you knock him with that stick? Not much. Come on, old man, you’ll follow _me_, I know,” said the sergeant, and, going to the side of the ship, he caught hold of a rope which dangled from above and swung himself over the side, to drop into one of the boats below. As he disappeared the horse gave a loud neigh, as though to call him back. “Come, Sonny, come on, old fellow,” called his master; and as though the ship no longer held anything worth remaining on board for, the beautiful creature gave another loud whinny and plunged into the water. With powerful strokes he swam straight for the beloved object in the boat, which was being pulled slowly toward the shore. The sergeant, who was now seated in the stern of the boat, reached out, and, taking hold of the leader which had been loosely knotted about the horse’s neck, gently towed the swimming animal, while talking to him encouragingly. And, as though he gained strength and courage from the beloved voice, the horse grew less and less nervous and settled down to the long, steady strokes which carried him swiftly toward the shore. They were within a hundred yards of it when he began to plunge and hold back. “Come on, Sonny; come on; what’s up?” asked his master. But the horse was unable to respond. “By Jove! he’s stuck in the seaweed; he’ll be a goner, sure as guns; that stuff has done up more ’n one of ’em already,” cried one of the men. “He won’t be a ‘goner’ if I can help it!” exclaimed the sergeant, and in another instant he had cast hat, coat, and arms into the boat and plunged into the water. “Steady, Sonny; steady, old boy. I’ll have you free in a minute,” he called to the struggling horse. At the sound of his voice the wild plunges ceased and he looked pathetically at his master with his great, eloquent eyes.