The corporal then stated that he had taken the precaution to take the
dog on shore, as he was afraid to leave it on board when he went to the
washerwoman's, and that he was not long there, but while he was, the dog
disappeared. He had looked everywhere, but could not find it.

"You took Smallbones with you?" said Vanslyperken.

"Yes, mynheer, to carry de linen."

"And where was he when you were at the washerwoman's."

"He was here and dere."

"I know that it was he who killed and buried the dog, corporal."

Corporal Van Spitter started, he thought he was discovered.

"Kilt and perryed, mein Gott!" said the corporal, obliged to say
something.

"Yes, I overheard the men say so on deck, corporal. He must have taken
the opportunity when you were in the house counting the linen."

Now the corporal had time to recover himself, and he argued that
anything was better than that he should be suspected. Smallbones was
already known to have attempted the life of the dog, so he would leave
the lieutenant in his error.

"Mein Gott' he is von d----d kill-dog feller," observed the corporal. "I