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Jarwin observed the successful effort, laughed feebly, and said, "Brayvo, Cuffy," with evident delight; for it reminded him of the days when that little shred of a door-mat, in the might of its vigour, was wont to wag its tail so violently as to convulse its whole body, insomuch that it was difficult to decide whether the tail wagged the body, or the body the tail!
"Ay, ay, take a good squint," he shouted, "an' then lower a boat eh! He stopped abruptly, for at that moment the figure turned towards the steersman; the schooner's head fell away, presenting her stern to the raft, and began to leave her behind. The truth flashed upon Jarwin like a thunderbolt. It was clear that the commander of the strange vessel had no intention of relieving him.
They had a long, earnest talk with the natives, but Jarwin was not allowed to hear it, or to show himself. Next day they went away.
Apparently neither man nor dog could return an answer to that question, for they both sat for a very long time in profound silence, staring at the sea. After some time Jarwin suddenly exclaimed, "I'll do it!" Cuffy, startled by the energy with which it was said, jumped up and said, "That's right!" or something very like it with his eyes.
"I shouldn't wonder now," said one, "if you was to think we was pirates." Jarwin smiled as he replied, "Well, I don't exactly think that, but I'm bound for to say the schooner has got such a rakish look that it wouldn't seem unnatural like if you were to hoist a black flag at the peak. An' you'll excuse me, shipmets, if I say that yer lingo ain't just so polished as it might be."
Nevertheless, despite his care, anxiety, and diligence, Jarwin failed to find his dog. He roamed all that day until his limbs were weary, and shouted till his voice was hoarse, but only echoes answered him. At last he sat down, overcome with fatigue and grief. It had rained heavily during the latter part of the day and soaked him to the skin, but he heeded it not.
A tall stout man, in plain costume, which was neither quite that of a seaman nor a landsman, stood with his arms crossed on his broad chest near the man at the wheel. To him, judging him to be the captain or owner of the vessel, Jarwin went up, and, pulling his forelock by way of salutation, said "Why, sir, I thought 'ee was a-goin' to leave me!" "So I was," answered the captain, drily.
Are 'ee sure, Bill, that Jarwin hasn't gone overboard along with his dog?" "Why no," replied Bill; "I seed him go forward a little ago; besides it ain't likely he'd go over without givin' a shout." "I dun know that," said the other; "he might have hit his head again' somethin' in tumblin' over." By this time the objects in question were almost out of sight astern.
This last argument always brought Jarwin off with flying colours no wonder, for it was unanswerable; and thus he came to love his beer and baccy so much that he became thoroughly enslaved to both. His brief residence on the south-sea island had taught him, by painful experience, that he was capable of existing without at least two of his three B's bread and beer.
On she came; a fine large schooner with raking masts, and so trim and neat in her rig that she resembled a pleasure-yacht. As she drew near, Jarwin rose, and holding on to the mast, waved a piece of canvas, while Cuffy, who felt that there was now really good ground for rejoicing, wagged his tail and barked in an imbecile fashion, as if he didn't exactly know whether to laugh or cry.
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