“And mind,” said the skipper as he turned away, “I leave it in your keepin’, and if it’s missing I shall understand that you’ve made away with it, and I shall take it as a sign of guilt, and act according.”
The end came sooner even than he expected. They were at breakfast next morning when Joe, looking somewhat pale, came down to the cabin, followed by Clark, bearing before him an empty plate.
“Well?” said the skipper fiercely.
“It’s about the ’erring, sir,” said Joe, twisting his cap between his hands.
“Well?” roared the skipper again.
“It’s gone, sir,” said Joe, in bereaved accents.
“You mean you’ve thrown it away, you infernal rascal!” bellowed the skipper.
“No, sir,” said Joe.
“Ah! I s’pose it walked up on deck and jumped overboard,” said the mate.
“No, sir,” said Joe softly. “The dog ate it, sir.”