“That’s your sort,” he cried; “up you goes, Jack, and shies down all the lot.”
The monkey seemed to enjoy the task, and catching the smooth stem with its fore-paws he began to ascend quite readily, while those below watched him till he reached the crown of the graceful tree, fifty feet above their heads.
“Bravo, Jack!” said the major. “I claim the three first nuts for the ladies.”
“And I the next for the wounded men,” said Mark.
“And you shall have ’em, my lad,” said Billy excitedly. “I say, Mr Mark, sir, aren’t he a monkey to be proud on? He’s cleverer than lots o’ men.”
Meanwhile Jack had climbed solemnly into the verdant nest above the nuts, and now looked down to where Bruff was staring wonderingly up at him, and uttered a low chattering, to which the dog responded with a bark.
“That’s them, Jack. Chuck ’em down, old lad,” cried Billy, smiling gleefully, as he rubbed his hands up and down his sides.
Jack changed his position, his tail giving a whisk or spin round, and looked down at Bruff, who now ran to the other side.
“Come, matey! Let’s have ’em,” said Billy. “Here, look sharp! Chuck down the whole lot.”
Jack chattered again, and then as Bruff barked he barked in no very bad imitation, while he took hold of a leaf and gave it a shake.