Be off!" Archy Raystoke knew his commanding officer's ways, and after waiting a few moments, he said softly, after giving a tap or two on the panel-- "Shall I take the boat and get her aboard ?" There was a loud rustle; a bang as if some one had struck the bulkhead with his elbow, and then a voice roared-- "Look here, sir, if you don't be off and let me finish my sleep, I'll let go at you through the door.

You're in charge of the deck.

Go and do what's right, and don't bother me." _Bang_! Another blow on the bulkhead, and rustling noise, and, as well as if he had seen it all, Archy knew that his officer had snuggled down under the clothes, and gone to sleep.
But he had the permission, and calling to a couple of the crew, he soon had the small boat in the water, with Dick and another man pulling towards where the cow was slowly swimming here and there, with its wet nose and two horns a very short distance above the surface.
"Now, then, Dick, is it a sea-cow ?" cried Archy, as they drew nearer.
"Well, sir, what else can it be ?" "Ah, you obstinate!" cried the lad.

"Now, then, what are we going to do?
We can't land her," he continued, looking up at the towering cliff, "and, of course, we can't take her in the boat." "I'll soon manage that," said Dick, leaving his rowing to take up a coil of rope he had thrown into the boat, and make a running noose.
"Yes, but--" "It's all right, sir.

Get this over her horns, and we can tow her alongside, and hyste her on deck in no time." The cow proved that she was accustomed to man, for, as the boat approached, she swam slowly to meet it, raising her nose a little to utter a loud bellow, as if glad to welcome the help.