"Lay it down on the table, corporal," said Vanslyperken, mournfully, "and tell me how this happened."
The corporal then entered into a long detail of the way in which the dog had been detailed--how he had been cutting up beef--and how while his back was turned, and Snarleyyow, as usual, was at the block, picking up the bits, Moggy Salisbury, who had been allowed to come on board by Mr Short, had caught up the cleaver and chopped off the dog's tail.
"Was Smallbones at the block?" inquired Vanslyperken.
"He was, mynheer," replied the corporal.
"Who held the dog while his tail was chopped off?" inquired Vanslyperken, "some one must have held him."
This was a home question; but the corporal replied, "Yes, mynheer, some one must have held the dog."
"You did not hear who it was, or if it were Smallbones?"
"I did not, mynheer," replied the corporal; "but," added he with a significant look, "I tink I could say."
"Yes, yes, corporal, I know who you mean. It was him--I am sure--and as sure as I sit here I'll be revenged. Bring a swab, corporal, and wipe up all this blood. Do you think the poor animal will recover?"
"Yes, mynheer; there be togs with tail and togs without tail."