Arrived here his first task was to pick up Captain Miles, after doing which he took hold of the canvas belt the captain had prepared and dropped in his confusion at the unexpected assault.
"You let dis niggah try, Massa Cap'en," he said.

"I'se able to ride any wild hoss, and tinks I can settle de rampagious animile." "All right, fire away," replied Captain Miles, rather out of breath from his tumble as well as from the punch the cow had given him "right in the wind." Jake thereupon, shoving the other darkeys away, climbed on to the gunwale of the launch.

Then, advancing gingerly until he was right opposite the cow, and seizing a good opportunity, he jumped suddenly on her back.

In a moment or so, he cleverly fixed the slings round her; while one of the other negroes, emboldened by his success, threw a noose over her head, which kept her from plunging about any longer, or at all events, from butting at everybody as she had done previously.
"By Jingo, you're a smart fellow!" exclaimed Captain Miles with much gusto.

"You're worth all the rest of those stupid lubbers of mine boiled down together! Haul away now, Mr Marline," he added, looking up; "I think we've fixed the cow this time." He was right; for, as soon as the hands on board manned the derrick and turned the winch handle the poor animal was raised in the air, kicking out spasmodically all the while, and wondering, no doubt, how she lost hold of her footing.