"Don't you ever stay out as late as this again, sir," said Capt. Noah, pulling in the gang-plank and making it fast for the night. "If you do, you won't get shore leave for a long time." "I'm glad you're back," whispered Marjorie, "for we were all dreadfully worried about you," and this so pleased the little red squirrel that he gave her a handful of chestnuts. "Come along with me," said Capt. Noah, "I'm going below to see what the boys are doing." So Marjorie and the little squirrel followed the captain without a word, for they saw that he was somewhat vexed. Below deck all was in confusion, for the animals, after finishing their supper, were trying to find places to sleep. Although Mr. Jonah and the boys had made the place as clean as possible since the fire, they had not, of course, been able in so short a time to replace the bunks and pens in which the animals had slept. Everybody was in everybody else's way. The smaller animals were squeezed into corners by the larger ones, and the Elephant complained that the red Ant kept treading on his toes. "Order! Order!" shouted Capt. Noah. "What are you doing, Jonah, and where are you, boys?" he called out, peering into the darkness, for of course all the electric lights were out and the hold was in total darkness. "Here we are," answered Mr. Jonah. "We're doing the best we can," and he came out of the darkness and rested his pitchfork on the floor while he wiped the perspiration from his forehead. "I was spreading out the straw for bedding. Ham is giving the pigs a drink before they go to bed." And just then the other two boys appeared. "What are you doing here?" Japheth asked the muley cow, which stood by quietly chewing her cud. But the muley cow only said, "Moo-o-oo!" "Well, you come along with me. All the cows are at the other end of the Ark." "Don't be impatient," said Capt. Noah, for the muley cow was a very gentle creature and never tried to butt any one with her horns, because she didn't have any, you know. While all this was going on Marjorie and the little squirrel stood in the doorway. "Glad you weren't lost," said Shem, patting the squirrel on the back as if he were a little pet dog. "The other squirrels said they wouldn't go to bed until you were found." "Where are they?" asked the little red squirrel. "I'm pretty sleepy and would like to cuddle up for the night," and then he swung his bag of nuts over his shoulder and followed Shem, but before he went he whispered to Marjorie that he'd give her some hickory nuts in the morning. After a while everything was made snug and tight for the night. Mr. Jonah put away his pitchfork and the boys hung up the water pails. Then a lighted lantern was hung at each end of the cabin, and the evening chores were done, just the same as if they had been on a farm, you know. And after that Marjorie went up on deck, where the weathercock was sitting on the flagpole in the moonlight.