"He must be tamed down, or we shall have worse mischief than a broken jar." "He thought the man was stealing the umbrella," pleaded Mark on behalf of his favourite.
"Then he must be taught to think sensibly, my lad.

Billy Widgeon's one of my best fore-mast men, and I can't afford to have my sailors used to feed your dog." "You're joking, father." "Ah! but that would be no joke," said the captain.

"I should not approve of his devouring the lowest and most worthless class of tramp, or a savage; but when it comes to sailors--" "What nonsense, father!" cried Mark.
"Why, Mark, my boy, what a good idea! I think I'll borrow that dog and take him to sea." "Take him to sea, father ?" "Yes: he would be a treasure at clearing the deck of unwelcome visitors--Chinamen or Malays." "What, pirates ?" "Well, men who would be pirates if they dared: the low-class scoundrels who haunt some of the ports." "All right, father! you shall have him," said Mark.
"Then I will, my boy," said the captain, looking at his son curiously, for he could not understand his willingness to part with his ugly favourite.

"He shall be well treated so long as he behaves himself." "But you can't take the dog without his master," said Mark, smiling.
"Oh, that's it! is it ?" said the captain.

"I thought there was something behind.