"Don't you ever stay out as late as this again, sir," said Capt. Noah, pulling in the gang-plank and making it fast for the night. "If you do, you won't get shore leave for a long time."
"I'm glad you're back," whispered Marjorie, "for we were all dreadfully worried about you," and this so pleased the little red squirrel that he gave her a handful of chestnuts.
"Come along with me," said Capt. Noah, "I'm going below to see what the boys are doing."
So Marjorie and the little squirrel followed the captain without a word, for they saw that he was somewhat vexed.
Below deck all was in confusion, for the animals, after finishing their supper, were trying to find places to sleep.
Although Mr. Jonah and the boys had made the place as clean as possible since the fire, they had not, of course, been able in so short a time to replace the bunks and pens in which the animals had slept.
Everybody was in everybody else's way.
The smaller animals were squeezed into corners by the larger ones, and the Elephant complained that the red Ant kept treading on his toes.
"Order! Order!" shouted Capt. Noah.
"What are you doing, Jonah, and where are you, boys?" he called out, peering into the darkness, for of course all the electric lights were out and the hold was in total darkness.