"I don't know," said Davy, who would have laughed if he had not been a little afraid of the Dog. "A dog-watch keeps a watching on a bark," said the old Sea-Dog; "and a watch-dog keeps a barking on a watch." Here he winked at Davy, and said, "What's _your_ name?" as if he had just mentioned his own. "Davy"--began the little boy, but before he could say another word the old Sea-Dog growled, "Right you are!" and, handing him a folded paper, trotted gravely away, swaggering, as he went, like a seafaring man. The paper was addressed to "_Davy Jones_," and was headed inside, "_Binnacle Bob: His werses_;" and below these words Davy found the following story:-- _To inactivity inclined Was Captain Parker Pitch's mind; In point of fact, 'twas fitted for A sedentary life ashore._ _His disposition, so to speak, Was nautically soft and weak; He feared the rolling ocean, and He very much preferred the land._ _A stronger-minded man by far Was gallant Captain Thompson Tar; And (what was very wrong, I think) He marked himself with India ink._ _He boldly sailed the "Soaking Sue" When angry gales and tempests blew, And even from the nor-nor-east He didn't mind 'em in the least._ _Now, Captain Parker Pitch's sloop Was called the "Cozy Chickencoop,"-- A truly comfortable craft, With ample state-rooms fore and aft._ _No foolish customs of the deep, Like "watches," robbed his crew of sleep; That estimable lot of men Were all in bed at half-past ten._ _At seven bells, one stormy day, Bold Captain Tar came by that way, And in a voice extremely coarse He roared "Ahoy!" till he was hoarse._ _Next morning, of his own accord, This able seaman came aboard, And made the following remark Concerning Captain Pitch's bark:--_ _"Avast!" says he, "Belay! What cheer! How comes this little wessel here? Come, tumble up your crew," says he, "And navigate a bit with me!"_ _Says Captain Pitch, "I can't refuse To join you on a friendly cruise; But you'll oblige me, Captain Tar, By not a-taking of me far."_ _At this reply from Captain Pitch, Bold Thompson gave himself a hitch, It cut him to the heart to find A seaman in this frame of mind._ _"Avast!" says he; "we'll bear away For Madagascar and Bombay, Then down the coast to Yucatan, Kamtschatka, Guinea, and Japan."_ _"Stand off for Egypt, Turkey, Spain, Australia, and the Spanish Main, Then through the nor-west passage for Van Dieman's Land and Labrador."_ [Illustration] _Says Captain Pitch, "The ocean swell Makes me exceedingly unwell, And, Captain Tar, before we start, Pray join me in a friendly tart."_ _And shall I go and take and hide The sneaking trick that Parker tried? Oh! no. I very much prefer To state his actions as they were:_