"That is an atrocious pun," said Toney; "and perpetrated on dry land."
"But on foreign land, and in the Emperor's gardens," said the Professor.
"Very true," said Toney; "you escape with impunity; being on Brazilian soil."
"Let us be off!" said Tom Seddon; "the sun is getting low."
"And come back for Hercules to-morrow. We will find him concluding the last stanza," said Toney.
"Will he sing all night?" asked the midshipman.
"Hercules has great powers of endurance," said the Professor.
"Come!" said Tom Seddon. And the party started for the omnibus; when Hercules arose and followed, still singing his interminable melody.
The sun had disappeared behind the horizon and the full moon had arisen in all her magnificence long before they reached the suburbs of the city. As they rode along listening to the chimes of the church bells, which in Catholic countries are sounding every evening, the voice of Hercules was heard, at intervals, bellowing forth,—