Page 16 - Jack's victory and other stories about dogs

14 JACK’S v ic t o r y.

life on ship-boat'd, and learned to like the sailors
who had bestowed on him his new title. He

had been brought to sea without his consent and

at first was inclined to resent the indignity; but

at length he seemed to forget his captivity, and
even to enjoy it.

Jack was really very grateful for the favours

he received. He played with the sailors, and

was never so happy as when having a frolic with
them. Afterwards he acquired the habit of wag­

ging his tail like civilized dogs. In this manner

he expressed the state of his feelings. It was
but a dumb gesture * to be sure; but a great deal

may be expressed even by a gesture. Jack was

gratefu], so he wagged his tail.
Our course, after getting Jack and the other

dogs on board, was northwards among the ice­

fields and the icebergs; until the ice became so
thick that we could proceed no further. Then we

sought a harbour and. went into winter quarters.

The weather soon grew intensely cold, and the

ice formed all about the ship, and closed over

the sea. As winter came on, instead of having