"Mayn't I, Captain ?" "Oh yes, you may go or come, just as you please to call it," replied the Captain, making a move towards the door, with an energetic thump of his malacca cane on the floor.

"Look sharp, though, or it will be midday before we're out of the house!" This contingency, however, did not happen, for within a minute or so he and the two boys were out on the parade; the party being further increased by the presence of Rover, who had been lurking in the passage and followed them out unobserved.

Not a bark or a gambol betrayed that he was after them, until the Captain on turning round suddenly saw him in their rear, close up to Bob's heels.
"Hullo!" he exclaimed; "I can't have that dog with us.

Rover is a very fine fellow and a brave animal too; but, he's somewhat skittish as yesterday's proceedings at the railway-station showed me.

I don't want to get into any more scrapes with him, such as knocking down harmless old women--she was a tartar, though, by Jove! Besides, I may have to go into the dockyard, and they do not allow dogs in there." "Don't they ?" asked Bob, catching hold of Rover's collar and preparing to take him back to the house.