"He is peeping from behind a masked battery of black beard upon the charms of his agreeable partner," said Toney.
"The young lady should beware of his hug," said Tom.
"The pair forcibly remind one of the old story of Beauty and the Beast," said the Professor.
"Hercules and the damsel with whom he is dancing require an immense amount of sea-room," said Toney.
"Heads up!" exclaimed Tom. And, as he uttered this exclamation, the ship, which had been running on an even keel, gave a sudden lurch to the larboard, upsetting all the fun in an instant, and spoiling the poetry of motion.
"Ah, then and there was hurrying to and fro,"
and Hercules pitched headforemost with his partner into a bunk. The indignant damsel arose and gave utterance to a wish the literal fulfillment of which would have found Hercules, poor fellow! sadly in need of the aid of an experienced oculist.
After the ceremony of a general prostration there was a tumultuous rush for the companion-ladder. The Professor reached the deck, after having inadvertently perpetrated the atrocious outrage of tearing away a considerable portion of female finery from the person of a fair damsel who was boldly mounting ahead, and who bestowed upon him sundry benedictions of singular import. The first object he beheld was M. T. Pate on his knees in an attitude of supplication.
"What's the matter, Mr. Pate?" exclaimed the Professor.
"Now I lay me down to sleep!" ejaculated Pate, with extreme fervor.