Alone, Negoro continued to avoid any encounter with the animal, whose antipathy was always as strong as it was inexplicable.
Meanwhile, little Jack had not neglected Dick Sand, his friend of old, for Dingo.

All the time that was unclaimed by his duties on board, the novice passed with the little boy.
Mrs.Weldon, it is needless to say, always regarded this intimacy with the most complete satisfaction.
One day, February 6th, she spoke of Dick to Captain Hull, and the captain praised the young novice in the highest terms.
"That boy," he said to Mrs.Weldon, "will be a good seaman some day, I'll guarantee.

He has truly a passion for the sea, and by this passion he makes up for the theoretical parts of the calling which he has not yet learned.

What he already knows is astonishing, when we think of the short time he has had to learn." "It must be added," replied Mrs.Weldon, "that he is also an excellent person, a true boy, very superior to his age, and who has never merited any blame since we have known him." "Yes, he is a good young man," continued the captain, "justly loved and appreciated by all." "This cruise finished," said Mrs.Weldon, "I know that my husband's intention is to have him follow a course of navigation, so that, he may afterwards obtain a captain's commission." "And Mr.Weldon is right," replied Captain Hull.

"Dick Sand will one day do honor to the American marine." "This poor orphan commenced life sadly," observed Mrs.Weldon.