Watch-Dogs / Ship's Company, Part 5.

by W. W. Jacobs

BOOK 5

ILLUSTRATIONS

FROM DRAWINGS BY WILL OWEN

["As I was a-saying, kindness to animals is all very well"] ["The quietest man o' the whole lot was Bob Pretty"] ["Some of 'em went and told Mr Bunnett some more things about Bob next day"] ["Bob Pretty lifted 'is foot and caught Joseph one behind"]

WATCH-DOGS

"It's a'most the only enj'yment I've got left," said the oldest inhabitant, taking a long, slow draught of beer, "that and a pipe o' baccy. Neither of 'em wants chewing, and that's a great thing when you ain't got anything worth speaking about left to chew with."

He put his mug on the table and, ignoring the stillness of the summer air, sheltered the flame of a match between his cupped hands and conveyed it with infinite care to the bowl of his pipe. A dull but crafty old eye squinting down the stem assured itself that the tobacco was well alight before the match was thrown away.