a new thing for the boy to be wandering from home at this unseasonable
hour. In vain did Harry attempt to drive the faithful creature from him,
for never having been an unwelcome companion before, the dog did not
understand his master's threatening gestures; yet he could understand
that something was amiss, and for that reason kept close upon his
master's heels, to shield him from all danger.

Arriving at the wharf, the boy once more attempted to drive the dog from
him, when looking around, he espied a bit of rope, with which he made
him fast to a post, and then clambered up the ship's side. Poor Nep,
keeping his eye upon his master, laid him quietly down, until the lines
were cast off, and the ship began to recede from the shore. O, Harry,
could you leave the companion of your infancy thus, made fast to a yard
rope, to shiver in the night air? It was his only alternative, for in
taking Neptune with him he well knew would be robbing the household of
one more endearment. No sooner had the ship started from her moorings,
and Nep saw that his master was being borne away, than he gave a piteous
howl, and with one bound parted the line which held him, and plunging
into the tide, made vigorous attempts to reach the ship.

"Breakers on the larboard bow!" sung out the captain, who stood laughing
to see the labors of the poor animal, who was becoming exhausted; "let's
see who'll have the first harpoon!" and he hurled a billet at the dog's
head as he was going down for the second time. Harry, seeing the action,
cried out, "Save him! who will save my poor Nep?" and fell fainting upon
the deck. Fortunately the hard-hearted man had missed his mark for once,
and by the light of the moon, the poor fellow was seen, just under the
bows, struggling feebly, as if about to give up, when an old tar, who
had heard Harry's cry for help, sprang with the rapidity of thought, and
seizing a rope, made it into a slip-noose, throwing it over the dog's