"That only demonstrates that you are natural-born sovereign Yankees," remarked the captain, laughing heartily.
"But you must come ashore and see our subjects!" exclaimed Kit.
"I'll do it!"
"But not before you've ben ter brackfus', sar?" said Palmleaf. "Coffee all hot, sar."
"Bully for you, Palmleaf!" shouted Weymouth. "Don't care if I do!"
"It seems an age since I last tasted coffee," said Raed.
That we did justice to Palmleaf's coffee and buttered muffins I have no need to assure the reader.
Breakfast over, we went back to our island, taking the captain along, and Hobbs in the place of Weymouth. The savages were gathered on the shore, watching the oomiak-sook rather disconsolately; for, roughly as we had used them, I think they had somehow gotten up a regard for us. Seeing us coming toward the shore again, they began to shout and hop about in a most extravagant manner. Landing, we sent the boat back after the iron, knives, flannel, etc. We then took the captain with us to see their huts and our walrus-skin tent. We had thoughts of taking the hides away with us; but as they were very heavy, and withal emitted a rather disagreeable odor, we finally gave them to Shug-la-wina. Our spider, off which we had eaten so many fried eggs and broiled ducks, we left set in our arch.
The captain was formally presented to Wutchee and Wunchee, and bowed very low. Their little black eyes sparkled; but, at a nod from Kit, they bowed in turn,—lower than the captain even: so that, on the whole, the ceremony was a rather grotesque one.
"But, my stars!" exclaimed Capt. Mazard, turning to us. "Which is which? Twins, to a dead certainty!"