Snarleyyow | Page 4

have bolted the
herring, had not Smallbones bolted after him and overtaken him just as he had laid it
down on the deck preparatory to commencing his meal. A fight ensued; Smallbones
received a severe bite in the leg, which induced him to seize a handspike, and make a
blow with it at the dog's head, which, if it had been well aimed, would have probably put
an end to all further pilfering. As it was, the handspike descended upon one of the dog's
fore toes, and Snarleyyow retreated, yelling, to the other side of the forecastle, and as
soon as he was out of reach, like all curs, bayed in defiance.
Smallbones picked up the herring, pulled up his trousers to examine the bite, poured
down an anathema upon the dog, which was, "May you be starved, as I am, you beast!"
and then turned round to go aft, when he struck against the spare form of Mr
Vanslyperken, who, with his hands in his pocket, and his trumpet under his arm, looked
unutterably savage.
"How dare you beat my dog, you villain?" said the lieutenant at last, choking with
passion.
"He's a-bitten my leg through and through, sir," replied Smallbones, with a face of alarm.
"Well, sir, why have you such thin legs, then?"
"'Cause I gets nothing to fill 'em up with."
"Have you not a herring there, you herring-gutted scoundrel? which, in defiance of all the
rules of the service, you have brought on his Majesty's quarter-deck, you greedy rascal,
and for which I intend--"
"It ar'n't my herring, sir, it be yours--for your breakfast--the only one that is left out of the
half-dozen."

This last remark appeared somewhat to pacify Mr Vanslyperken.
"Go down below, sir," said he, after a pause, "and let me know when my breakfast is
ready."
Smallbones obeyed immediately, too glad to escape so easily.
"Snarleyyow," said his master, looking at the dog, who remained on the other side of the
forecastle; "O Snarleyyow, for shame! Come here, sir. Come here, sir, directly."
But Snarleyyow, who was very sulky at the loss of his anticipated breakfast, was
contumacious, and would not come. He stood at the other side of the forecastle, while his
master apostrophised him, looking him in the face. Then, after a pause of indecision, he
gave a howling sort of bark, trotted away to the main hatchway, and disappeared below.
Mr Vanslyperken returned to the quarter-deck, and turned, and turned as before.
Chapter II
Showing what became of the red-herring.
Smallbones soon made his re-appearance, informing Mr Vanslyperken that his breakfast
was ready for him, and Mr Vanslyperken, feeling himself quite ready for his breakfast,
went down below. A minute after he had disappeared, another man came up to relieve the
one at the wheel, who, as soon as he had surrendered up the spokes, commenced warming
himself after the most approved method, by flapping his arms round his body.
"The skipper's out o' sorts again this morning," said Obadiah, after a time. "I heard him
muttering about the woman at the Lust Haus."
"Then, by Got, we will have de breeze," replied Jansen, who was a Dutch seaman of huge
proportions, rendered still more preposterous by the multiplicity of his nether clothing.
"Yes, as sure as Mother Carey's chickens raise the gale, so does the name of the Frau
Vandersloosh. I'll be down and get my breakfast, there may be keel-hauling before noon."
"Mein Got--dat is de tyfel."
"Keep her nor-east, Jansen, and keep a sharp look out for the boats."
"Got for dam--how must I steer the chip and look for de boats at de same time?--not
possible."
"That's no consarn o' mine. Those are the orders, and I passes them--you must get over
the unpossibility how you can." So saying, Obadiah Coble walked below.
We must do the same, and introduce the reader to the cabin of Lieutenant Vanslyperken,
which was not very splendid in its furniture. One small table, one chair, a mattress in a
standing bed-place, with curtains made of bunting, an open cupboard, containing three

plates, one tea-cup and saucer, two drinking glasses, and two knives. More was not
required, as Mr Vanslyperken never indulged in company. There was another cupboard,
but it was carefully locked. On the table before the lieutenant was a white wash-hand
basin, nearly half full of burgoo, a composition of boiled oatmeal and water, very
wholesome, and very hot. It was the allowance, from the ship's coppers, of Mr
Vanslyperken and his servant Smallbones. Mr Vanslyperken was busy stirring it about to
cool it a little, with a leaden spoon. Snarleyyow sat close to him, waiting for his share,
and Smallbones stood by, waiting for orders.
"Smallbones," said the lieutenant, after trying the hot mess before him, and finding