"I never felt so ashamed of anything in my life." To make matters worse, the major began in a loud voice to talk about the heroic deeds of boys as found in history, and though the saloon cabin was hot enough before, it seemed now to Mark that it was tropical, and he was only too glad to go out on deck and wipe his streaming face in the company of Bruff and Jack the monkey, who, from becoming the companion of the dog, was willing enough to transfer some of his friendliness to the dog's master.
But even here he was not left in peace, for Billy Widgeon came up to compliment him on his climbing.
"Look ye here, Mr Strong, sir, you'll do it.

You come up with me and we'll go right up to the main-topgallant cross-trees to-morrow.

I'll see as you don't fall." "Oh, bother the climbing!" cried Mark.

"I wish there wasn't a bit of rigging in the ship." "But we couldn't get on without rigging, Mr Mark, sir," said the little sailor taking the impatient words literally.

"See how them sails is spread.