“We’ll help you look for that curious insect,” said Rose Seabury. “We are going to stay on Lake Okeechobee for some time, and perhaps we’ll come across it.”
“I hope you do,” remarked the scientist. “I shall be very much obliged to you if you find a specimen and I’ll share the reward with you.”
“Oh, I didn’t mean that!” exclaimed the young lady. “I’m sure if I could be a little aid to the advancement of science it would be reward enough.”
Several pleasant hours were spent aboard the Wanderer and after dinner, for which Mr. Seabury insisted that his guests remain, they all sat on the cool upper deck viewing the beauties of the lake.
“Isn’t that a canoe putting out from shore?” asked the owner of the houseboat, pointing to a small object on the water.
“That’s what it is,” answered Nellie, looking through a pair of marine glasses. “There are negroes in it.”
“Oh, those ugly black men!” exclaimed Olivia. “I can’t bear them. They are not like the colored men up north.”
“They seem to be headed this way,” went on Mr. Seabury, taking the glasses from his daughter. “I wonder what they want?”
The canoe rapidly approached. In a short time it was close enough so that, without the aid of glasses, there could be made out in it three negroes. They were paddling straight for the houseboat, to which the Dartaway was made fast. When the small craft came within hailing distance one of the negroes called out:
“Is a gen’men dar what’s lookin’ fo’ rare bugs an’ butterflies?”