"Spread your mattress on the port side of the steps, get a pillow, and stretch yourself upon it, and sing out when you're ready." She instantly rose and descended; the dog was about to follow her. "Lie down, Sailor!" and the dog obeyed. In a few moments the clear voice sounded, "On deck there!" "Hallo!" "All ready, George." "Shut your eyes and seem asleep. Sailor!" The dog immediately stood up with an inquiring look, ears slightly lifted. "Fetch her, Sailor! fetch her!" The dog trembled, and looked with a sort of passion about him. "Fetch her, Sailor! fetch her!" shouted Hardy, pointing down the hatch. The noble creature sprang down the steps. In a moment Julia began to scream. "Oh!" he heard her say; "he is tearing my dress, George." "Come up with him; it is all right," he bellowed. And up came the girl with her skirt in the mouth of the dog, who tried to get in front of her to drag her as though they were both in the sea and awash; but she filled the way and the Newfoundland could not jam past her. The dog held on till she was seated; he had not torn her dress, and the sweethearts fell into a fit of immoderate laughter, whilst the dog by pantomime of tail and motion exhibited every mark of satisfaction. "What a wonderful animal!" said Julia. "That breed is cleverer than we are," answered Hardy, "and as humane as angels. He understood me; it was like bidding him jump overboard after you." "But what is your object, George?" "I might want you, and if you are in a sound sleep and a breeze is blowing in low thunder over the companion-way, I might yelp myself into the disease of laryngitis without awakening you. The dog rests beside me and is at hand to call you." "You are very clever, George. The more I see of you the cleverer you become. Dear old Sailor! must he lie beside you on deck unsheltered?" "I shall lash an empty cask to the grating; there is plenty of sailcloth forward, and he shall have a kennel. Take the wheel, Julia; there is something to be done before the night falls. The breeze freshens too; hurrah, see how straight the white race flies astern of her! Under such canvas too! Keep her steady and don't be afraid." "Afraid!" she answered with a glance at him, which made him feel as if he was married.