And that Newfoundland of his was just as
black and his coat just as kinky as Bill's wool. The crew called 'em
the two Snowballs."
"What notion did the dog take, Uncle Amazon?" Louise asked as he
halted. Sometimes he required a little urging to "get going." But not
much.
"Why, no matter what Bill did around the deck, or below, or overside,
or what not, the dog never seemed to pay much attention to him. But
the minute Bill started aloft that dog began to cry--whine and
bark--and try to climb the shrouds after that nigger. Land sakes, you
never in your life saw such actions! Got so we had to chain the dog
Snowball whenever it came on to blow, for there's a consarned lot o'
reefin' down and hoistin' sail on one o' them big fo'masters. The
skipper't keeps his job on a ship like the _Sally S. Stern_ must get
steamboat speed out o' her.
"So, 'twas 'all hands to stations!' sometimes three and four times in a
watch. Owners ain't overlib'ral in matter of crew nowadays. Think
because there's a donkey-engine on deck and a riggin' to hoist your big
sails, ye don't re'lly need men for'ard at all.
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