"'Charmed to meet you,' said the Archæopteryx."
“The Archæopteryx,” repeated the Skipper. “It’s an awful name, isn’t it?”
“What is he?” demanded Dick.
“A kind of lizardish bird, or a birdish lizard, whichever you like,” was the reply. “He’s a great swell, I can tell you, and fancies himself immensely.”
The children were all eagerness to see this strange creature, and could scarcely wait until the ship reached the land.
The Skipper went down and told the Dodo, who, directly he heard that they would meet the Archæopteryx, made a great effort to pull himself together again.
“I mustn’t let him see me in this state,” he declared. “He is a distant relative of mine, and a person of great consequence. Do you think,” he continued, addressing the Skipper, “that you could clean up my gloves a little with some bread crumbs, they have become slightly soiled; and would you kindly rearrange my necktie?”
These necessary preparations completed, the Dodo staggered up on deck just as the Argosy reached the shore.
The Archæopteryx was waiting for them on the beach, and recognized the Dodo immediately.