"'And what sort of a place is Senegal?'
"'Senegal,' answered the sailor, 'is a most magnificent country, where the rivers are made of milk, and the mountains of sugar. The rain is composed of lemonade, and the birds fall down from the trees all stuffed and roasted, ready to eat, from morning till night. The trees are covered with sugar-plums; and all the streams are full of goldfishes, which come when you whistle to them. They are real gold, and used for money by the inhabitants!'
"'But—do they ever write exercises there?' asked Harry, with a cunning twinkle in his eye.
"'Never!' cried the sailor, who saw what the trouble was with the silly boy. 'The king of this delightful country has expressly forbidden it. He has burned down all the colleges and blown up all the schools.'
"'Jolly!' cried Harry, snapping his fingers, 'that's the country for me! I'll go with you, sure pop!'
"You perceive that heedless Harry did not use very elegant language, but as a true historian, I must tell you of persons, places, and things just as they are, and I hope your good sense will teach you to avoid all such vulgarities.
"The sailor, taking advantage at once of Harry's delight in his account of Senegal, carried him to the captain, and making an awkward bow, said: 'Captain, here is a new hand.'
"'Good!' cried the captain. 'He looks strong. I hope he won't die of weariness and fatigue, like the other ones.'
"At these words, Harry began to feel rather uncomfortable. 'What!' said he to the sailor, as they left the cabin, 'do boys have to work on board your ship?'
"'Sartain, for sure; all the time,' said the sailor, laughing.