Captain Hemming had a sincere regard and respect for Jack, as Jack had
for him. They had both seen each other well tried and never found
wanting, and they could thus converse frankly and without reserve.
Neither Hemming nor Jack were people to talk without fully intending to
perform. Indeed, those who knew them felt sure that when dash or cool
courage, or perseverance and intelligence, were especially required,
they would show that they possessed them all. Jack liked his ship and
most of his brother officers, as well as his captain, and was a general
favourite with them. He had brought two companions, Adair's old African
follower, Queerface, which he had given to Jack; and a fine Newfoundland
dog, Sancho by name. Jack had intended leaving Queerface at home, as
Paddy remarked, to remind his brothers and sisters of him. The
compliment was somewhat doubtful. But the monkey had played so many
curious tricks, and had committed so much mischief, that no one would
undertake the charge of him; and therefore, like a bad boy, he was sent
off to sea again in disgrace. As was natural, Sancho and Queerface
became very intimate, though not at the same time perfectly friendly.
Each, it appeared, was striving for the mastery. Queerface, monkey
though he was, gained the day; and one of his great amusements was to
mount Sancho's back, and to make him run round and round the deck with
him, whipping him on and chattering away all the time most vociferously,
to the great amusement of the seamen, if not always to that of the first
lieutenant.
Jack had another charge to look after, a young midshipman, Harry Bevan
by name, who had been especially committed to his charge. The little
fellow had been a petted somewhat spoilt child, an only son, yet go to
sea he would; and his parents never had refused him anything, so they
let him have his will, though it almost broke their hearts. Jack
promised to take the best care of him he could. Harry was not exactly a
pickle, but he had very little notion of taking care of himself; so Jack
had quite enough to do to look after him, in addition to Queerface and
Sancho. Harry and Sancho were very great friends, but Queerface
evidently looked upon him as a rival in his master's affections, and
bore him no good-will. This feeling of the monkey was increased by the
tricks which the young midshipman played him whenever he had the
opportunity. At last he was never able to approach Queerface without a
rope in his hand, which he held behind his back, or doubled up in his
pocket. The monkey, in the most sagacious way, would skip about till he
had ascertained whether the weapon was there or not. If it was there,
as soon as he caught sight of it, he would spring up into the rigging
and sit on a ratline, as quiet and demure as a judge, without attempting
to retaliate.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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