"Our captain's name was Lindsay, and a better or more able man no man ever sailed under. He was brave, skilful, and just; impartial to all hands, good-hearted, but strict in matters of duty to the very letter of naval law. He was the eldest son of an ancient and emin ent Scotch Laird, and was proud of his country and his countrymen. His twa dogs were thorough-bred Newfoundland dogs, of the pure St. John's breed; not particularly large, both entirely black, and so alike that they were difficult to distinguish, the one from the other. To avoid mistakes they wore different coloured collars: Lion, being ornamented with a red one, whilst Nelson gloried in a true blue. On each of these were brass-plates, with their respective names engraved thereon. They were great favourites with all hands, who patted and played with them upon every occasion, and treated them as shipmates and companions. So you see there was a good understanding established on both sides, and all parties to the contract were perfectly satisfied. There was something so very singular and unaccountable in their behaviour and habits a-board, that it necessarily attracted the observation, and called forth the remarks of every one: the very best of friends, they were seldom or ever seen together, they unmistakably avoided each other's society, and although it had been reported that they met of a night, probably to compare notes, nevertheless they had never been caught in the act of social intercourse by day. If Lion was aft with the captain, Nelson was forward with the crew, and vice versá. Whichever's turn it was to be in the fore part of the vessel, he certainly considered himself, for the time being, on duty — he was alive to every move of the sailors, and frequently anticipated their wishes, jumping on to the bowsprit, and keeping a good look out, expressing his anxiety and concern at the approach of another ship by running backwards and forwards, and barking loudly with an assumed air of command and warning. In this curious amusement and very creditable occupation, they undoubtedly proved themselves a valuable acquisition to the told hands, for it signified little how far off the coming vessel might be, they never failed to give timely notice of its appearance on the horizon, and were usually correct in their surmises."
He here broke off by addressing dear Agnes, asking for her approval.
"I trust," said Jemmy,"that my twa dogs are sufficiently interesting thus far, for you to encourage me to proceed?"
"Oh, I do assure you," she tenderly replied,"I am quite delighted with them already: dear creatures, I long to hear more of them."
"Wadham, my good fellow," I put in,"pray go on; you are quite a God-send; at the same time I slily handed him the powder-flask.
"Well, then," he once more commenced, after his reviver:"Our captain having had them from puppies — but I must tell you they were in no way related to one another — he bestowed more than usual pains on their education: first making himself master of their affections by kindness, he next convinced them that to him alone were they to look up for protection and support; the firmness of the tutor, easily teaching them that first grand lesson of life — obedience. But they were willing cheerful pupils, and soon showed themselves well calculated to share the dangers and changes of an element, of which ultimately they might almost be said to have made themselves masters. Thus trained to live and associate with sailors, they showed a fixed and incurable dislike and suspicion of soldiers, and it was really laughable to observe what a sorry and pitiable figure they cut should we, as we often were obliged to do, take in troops. From that moment they immediately appeared to assume the defensive, were irritable and restless, and allowed no one to caress them, keeping their eyes upon and closely following about the objects of their aversion; doing a sort of double duty whilst the voyage lasted. When in port they would both at a certain hour in the morning make their appearance before the ship's cook, and sitting patiently on their beam-ends, there wait facing him until a well-known goodly-sized canvas-bag was produced, which being specially devoted to their service they looked upon as their own private property, and woe-betide any one attempting to take it from either of them. Having taken possession, or once got hold of this same bag, one or other of them, according to turn, for they took it by turns alternately, would trot off through the crowd, and make his way unfailingly to the butcher's shop in the town, who, knowing his wants, on the dog delivering up his bag, which he would willingly do to him only, he would put into it a sufficiently large piece of meat to satisfy their marine appetites: then securing the mouth of it with a string, it was redelivered to the sagacious dog, who trotted back with a contented air to the good-natured cook. After which, one or other of the dogs would fetch a bucket and superintend the cleansing of the meat. Both dogs being well known, and highly respected as regular customers throughout the trade, they seldom returned to the ship with a beggarly account of an empty bag. I now come to a very affecting episode in the life of Lion: one I am sure that will give you the greatest pleasure to listen to."
"Thank you, Jemmy," I replied;"you are a treasure as a travelling companion, and I am sure we both fully appreciate your interesting story. Pray continue it."
"Animals, as you are perhaps aware of, generally find for themselves an object to fix their affections on; a sacred and secret passion, which to them is an all-engrossing one, and upon which they almost seem to live, and breathe, and derive their very existence from. Lion proved himself no exception to the rule; he formed the most unalterable and invincible attachment to a pretty and very good little boy, a middy, by common custom called "Midge," from his diminutive proportions; and notwithstanding Lion's duties to the captain, and undeviating attention to the officers and crew, he never lost sight of or neglected for a moment his watchfulness over his charge, for in that light he undoubtedly considered him. As explained to me, this passion for the youth was not of sudden origin. He at first displayed it by unceasing attendance on him, seizing every opportunity of enjoying his company, hugging up close to his side, kissing and licking his hands and face, whenever unobserved the chance presented itself. One wet and angry night, he obstinately refused to let little Migde go forward beyond midships, in spite of his many attempts to do so. At length playfully forcing the boy down, he dragged him into his kennel, Lion being honoured with a remarkably large one, placed nearly thereabouts. This was an affair between themselves, and unwitnessed by others. The middy liked it, and unresistingly accepted the dog's protection. About an hour afterwards the fore-bulwarks and all things pertaining thereto were swept clean away. From that time a bed- fellowship was clandestinely carried on, Lion sleeping with his mighty paws around the little fellow's body. Many's the time afterwards that Midge was missed, and many the vain search made for him, the affectionate dog's over-ostentatious sentinel ship alone pointing out the snug berth of the wet and shivering middy. Of undaunted courage these dogs often risked their own lives, and braved death to assist others, and that so willingly, and with such determination, that they won for themselves golden opinions from all on board, and gained those honours which are the lasting reward of heroes. The most remarkable instance of this self-sacrificing spirit, attended with marvellous sagacity and exquisite instinct, occurred under the following painful circumstances: Compelled by stress of weather to seek shelter and run for it, Captain Lindsay put our gallant ship into hospitable refuge at the back of one the West India islands, which safety welcomed us with unruffled waters. Curious to observe the action of the sea beating against its barrier in its rage, he ordered his gig to be manned and, accompanied by his lieutenant, another officer, little Midge the middy, and his faithful dog Lion, they proceeded to the turbulent inspection. Pulling up to a small jetty they landed, the boat awaiting their return. The scene, whose grandeur surpassed imagination, was both gratifying and to some extent instructive. The wind outside blew a hurricane, and the rapidly rising tide brought the boisterous waves roaring, bursting, and crashing in all their headlong force and fury against the impregnable granite, scattering their white foam and spray on all around. On the top of this sort of natural breakwater projected two iron bars placed some little distance apart. Seized with a spirit of bravado, common to most sailors, the lieutenant resolved to reach one of these; Midge, equally big at heart, made up his mind for the other. The danger of their frolic was instantly apparent to the Captain. Breasting the almost over-powering wind to which they were now fully exposed, they succeeded by sheer strength in gaining the props or rods; but the rushing tide and hurricane had so increased that to return unaided was impossible. The anxious captain stood trembling for the fate of both. Without a word, Lion, whose intelligence comprehended at a glance the dangers of their position, and no doubt affected by the threatened fate of his beloved boy, advanced without hesitation to the rescue boldly but cautiously. First proceeding to the officer, who was the nearest; he seized him firmly by his coat; at this moment a wave broke in all its majesty and might over the wall and swept him away, carrying with him in his mouth the piece of cloth he had laid hold of. Not a moment was to be lost. Swimming back to the jetty, he returned undismayed to the helpless officer, who still clung to the unyielding iron; once more catching him by his coat, the desperate officer let go his nervous grip of the bar, Lion dragging him with all his strength to windward. In this attitude, the dog acting the part of a guy or stay, his claws extended, and his hind legs well spread out beneath him, they commenced their perilous struggle. For many yards every step was one of immiment danger. The silent Captain, still a spectator, prepared for the worst. Owing entirely to the almost supernatural exertions and wonderful sagacity of Lion, they at length arrived in safety at the gig. But his task was only half accomplished — now came the more serious and difficult duty of releasing Midge, whose dangers were doubly apparent; he was much further off, the tide had risen still higher, and the wind if possible had increased. It was beyond a doubt that one so young, and comparatively weak and light, could not withstand its force.
“'He must be dashed to pieces,' shouted the agonized captain —"
At this very critical and exciting period of the story, Jemmy was brought to a full stop by the sudden drawing up of the mail to a large roadside inn, and the simultaneous announcement that"a quarter-of- an-hour would be allowed us for dinner."

"If I remember rightly," he said, as he immediately and cheerfully complied with her wishes,"we had, with the assistance of the bold and sagacious Lion, relieved the trembling officer, and carried him once more safely back to the gig. A greater and more dangerous duty still had to be performed — the almost utter impossibility of bringing in the middy. Nothing daunted however, Lion instantly rushed, at as fast a pace as the wind and waves would permit him, along the jetty, and passed with extreme difficulty and risk the first iron bar, so lately grasped by the lieutenant. All eyes were strained towards him; every move was watched with the intensest interest. The rising sea broke, sweeping in angry columns of foaming water at almost every second, over the poor boy, and the truly Lion-hearted dog. Still the middy held on; he saw that his only hope of salvation was dependent on the strength and intelligence of his affectionate and faithful friend. To have released his spasmodic grip of the bar would have been instant death, for nothing could have withstood the violence of the storm; he would literally have been blown away, and left at the mercy of the elements. Crouching on his belly, and as closy to the rock as pos- sible, so as to derive the benefit of what little shelter there could be obtained, Lion drew himself along on all-fours. The distance, although but about forty yards, was still sufficient to cause the utmost anxiety as to whether he would accomplish it; more especially as there was a vacant space, a kind of break-off in the rock, through which poured at every breaker tons of water. This critical spot he had now reached; how was it to be crossed? And here the natural instinct and acquired knowledge of the courageous animal was displayed in the most striking and admirable manner. Counting, as it were, each wave, there he lay with his head just clear of the opening, and watching for the slightest lull. It came: he seized the only chance, and at one bound had cleared the dreadful chasm; in another instant he was by the side of his protégé. This was some relief to the nervous spectators, but alas! brought very little to Midge, with whom now all was life or death at every step; one false move, and all would be lost."
"Oh, I do hope he is saved, Mr. Wadham," exclaimed the agitated Agnes in as loud a whisper as she could force:"it would be so shock ing if he were drowned. What a noble dog!"
"You shall hear directly the catastrophe. Midge, plucky to the last and confident of the courage of his conductor, suddenly let go his hold. No sooner had he done so than he at once perceived that to keep on his legs was an impossibility and beyond his strength; fortunately he had sense enough to throw himself down. Lion had already seized him by the jacket; the boy, passing one hand through his collar, used the other to assist him in crawling. The two were by this arrange ment brought side by side, both creeping as flat as possible towards the terrifying and fatal cataract. It was marvellous to behold with what keen sagacity Lion assisted the delicate lad: inch by inch, they scarcely seemed to move. They approached the "damned spot" — the hearts of all beat loud and fast — the rapid breath was suspended — the lookers-on stood petrified and aghast, awaiting that final attempt which must bring death to both! At this most painful and critical moment, Captain Lindsay's presence of mind was no doubt of the utmost service, and ultimately proved the salvation of the two strugglers. I will explain to you how: The waves, after breaking through the open space in the rock, flowed with irresistible force across the jetty, pouring in one continuous torrent into the smooth, deep water below, the fall to which was computed at about fifteen feet. To this spot he instantly brought round the gig, prepared for what he knew and saw must happen. Still fearful of taking the last step, there lay the two trembling wretches, each equally unwilling to advance, and unable now to retreat. All assistance were vain. 'Courage, my brave boy,' shouted the gallant captain; but no human voice could reach them, it was borne away on the roar of the winds and waves. Breaker after breaker dashed through the opening, as if like a hungry monster it was impatient for its victims, and rushed in mockery towards the feet of the tortured captain. Midge was the first to move, Lion still holding him convulsively by the breast; it was a tempting momentary calm — there was hope — they might accomplish it — speed and resolution might yet save them! On knees and hands, with every particle of strength and every muscle doing its utmost, they proceeded in safety to the middle of the awful and dreaded sluice. Lion saw in an instant that they were doomed, and prepared in the most intelligent manner to contend for life with the swamping, swallowing giant; he threw himself down on his back towards the opening, by which action Midge's position corresponded with his own. On came the engulfing breaker, bursting with merciless and unchecked power, with a clean breach, completely on the top of them. All was silence and darkness — all was doubt and confusion: in another moment they again appeared, borne by the raging torrent towards the jetty, rolling over and over; the courageous Lion, still sensible of his charge and alive to every danger, yet struggled to the rescue, and endeavoured vainly to contend against the mighty current. Onwards and onwards, now visible, now lost to sight, they bounded as it were over into the lake below!"
"Oh, Mr. Wadham, what a fearful story," cried Agnes, with tears in her eyes;"but pray go on."
“The rest, my dear young lady, is soon told. The pair of them rose again almost immediately, both for a time insensible, bruised, beaten, and bleeding. Lion was the first to come to himself; with him it appeared merely as if the violence of the fall and knocking about had simply knocked the wind out of him; nevertheless he held on to the boy firmly and determinedly in his death-grip, and it was with some difficulty that they opened his jaws and took him away. The poor lad, however, had fared badly enough — it was doubtful indeed if he were alive; his leg was broken, but he quickly breathed, and Captain Lindsay, without a minute's delay, rowed quickly to the ship, supporting him in the meantime in his arms, and using every effort to restore animation. Once aboard, he was delivered to the doctor, a most skilful gentleman, who succeeded after a few weeks of the strictest attention in once more bringing him on to the quarter-deck, but little the worse for his miraculous escape."
"Well, Jemmy," cried I,"that is a capital story, and I am sure we are very much obliged to you for so agreeably amusing us. Thank God it is late, and here we are in time for tea."
"But, my dear Mr. Wadham," said Agnes as well as she could,"after tea pray tell me what became of the"'twa dogs.'"
"I shall be delighted to do," he replied,"but I am afraid if you were astonished at their courage you will hardly believe in their eccentricity."


After a brief stop for tea, the travel, and Jemmy's story of the Newfoundlands, resumes:

"Ah, ah, sir," he knowingly answered."Here you are, then, to wind up the yarn. Some months after the accident we visited Jamaica. The captain had for some time been anxious to get there, and mightily pleased and good-humoured when he arrived there. At first we could not make it out; however it was soon whispered annong us that the captain was in love with one of the Governor's daughters, and this very shortly proved to be the case; the consequence was that he was almost always ashore, and greater liberty was granted to the men and boys, which no one objected to but the officers who had to look after them. It was not a courtship of long duration; the loving couple were old acquaintances and had wooed and vowed the usual vows in England; therefore no one was much surprised at finding him one evening come aboard accompanied by his newly-made wife. During some weeks Lion and Nelson had been much neglected; their usual habits and regular life had been seriously interrupted; their master's affection for them had considerably cooled; and they were thrown on their own resources and the crew's attachment to them for those kind attentions which until then they had depended upon receiving from the captain's hand alone. Almost as soon as Mrs. Lindsay put her foot on the deck it was very evident that she had a horror of dogs. In the first place she screamed with affected fright, and in the next drove these noble and beautiful animals away from her, ending her silly timidity by begging her husband on no account to allow them to enter their cabin. The enamoured captain, without even a sigh, ordered them to be immediately tied up, which command was quickly obeyed, and they became prisoners, not of war, but of love, which shows no mercy out of its own narrow-minded self-gratification. The effect of this sudden severity and change of life on the 'twa ship-dogs' was soon made manifest in a visible alteration for the worse in their appearance, and great depression of spirits, loss of appetite, and irritability of temper. Towards evening they were allowed about an hour's liberty — that is if the fastidious lady was in her cabin or otherwise engaged and out of the way. Still they never seemed to enjoy themselves with that light-heartedness which is inspired by a knowledge of thorough freedom; there was a sulky, sullen, downcast look about them which indicated mental suffering and a harbouring of revenge. This marked conduct was observed by both their master and those of the crew to whom they were most attached, more especially the little middy. It was a beautiful evening, and although later than usual, Captain Lindsay, coming on deck to enjoy his cigar and walk with his chief officers, he gave the word to let the dogs loose, and I, who happened to be the nearest to him, immediately proceeded to do so, when to my astonishment I found Lion's collar and chain lying curled up in the interior of the kennel and no dog. Without saying anything I went to Nelson, thinking it probable that I should find them together; in this however I was disappointed, there lay the brave Nelson snug enough, but I looked in vain for Lion, he was nowhere to be seen. Having unbuckled the dog, I of course informed the captain of the absence of his other favourite. He was greatly concerned about it, and the ship was at once strictly searched, but without success, Lion was non est. No one had seen him, no one had heard him jump overboard, no strangers had been to visit us, and the only news that could be learnt concerning him was that the cook had fed them both not more than an hour before. Without delay a boat was manned, and an officer, accompanied by a petty officer and some trusty men, were sent on shore with the hope of discovering him and bringing him back. All hands waited impatiently the result. Some hours elapsed, but they ultimately returned, not only without him, but without the slightest tidings concerning him. The mystery of his departure became the talk of the ship. Advertisements, publicly posted, tempting rewards, and private bribes failed to produce him, and he was consequently given up as 'found missing.' To the complete consternation of his friends, in less than a week after this confusion of affectionate regrets, Lion was discovered asleep in his kennel. His return was reported, and he was ordered to be put in irons — that is, he was doubly secured. Nevertheless the mystery was unsolved, and to unravel it seemed a hopeless task, for all were at guess-work. Once again securely chained the canine agitation subsided, and all went on as usual. Nelson and Lion were well attended to, their moorings well secured, and the unaccountable absconding forgotten. About a fortnight afterwards, happening to assist to keep the 'middle watch,' and not observing the slightest signs of life in their quarters, I ventured, first calling the dogs by name, to put in my hand, for the purpose of caressing them. Imagine my nervous prostration at finding them both empty! Not feeling myself justified at that hour in rousing the officers or disturbing the crew, I said nothing. I kept my watch and held my peace. The morning however was the signal for a terrible explosion of unbelief, wonder, and surmise. The captain was completely staggered, he would scarcely believe it; fifty times did he walk to the kennels, inspect them, handle the chains, look overboard, and by argument clearly prove that they could not have got away without assistance, and that positively they must have been stolen. Every effort was made, regardless of the means employed, to obtain the dogs, or get at least a clue to their hiding-place. It turned out to be so much time, money, and labour lost; they were never again heard of in Jamaica, or by any one in connection with them whilst with us. But three months afterwards, on arriving at Spithead, two dark objects, mere spots in the water, were observed swimming towards the ship. Nearer and nearer they approached, until, to the amazement of everybody, they recognized their long-lost mysterious friends and companions Lion and Nelson."

For instance, one day a customer coming in to give orders for his family was followed by a remarkably fine Newfoundland dog, which, sniffing about, finally entered the cupboard formed by the underneath part of the counter, and wherein we kept fish-baskets, sacks, and other necessary utensils of the trade. The idea instantly occurred to me that I should like to nail him, the thought was no sooner engendered than I executed it by closing the cupboard-door, thus safely securing him, unobserved by any one. His owner having finished his marketing, quietly departed, but returned in haste for his missing favourite. To the anxious, breathless questions of "Have you seen my dog? Where can he have got to?" and so on, he, of course, received "No" for an answer. In about two hours' time the poor helpless animal, to my intense satisfaction, was cried by the town crier, a reward of two guineas being offered for him. With the assistance of my partner in guilt, the butcher, the dog was restored, and the money received, divided between us. This we looked upon as a great coup de main: but the very many ways we found of plundering everybody, and of pinching everything, whether of great value or small, the scrapes we got into, and the awfully narrow escapes we had of being pinched ourselves, would take me a week in recounting to you. I can only assure you that the petty pilfering after the fashion I have described, gave me a thorough liking for stealing on a larger scale. (172)