"Forty-two! You are chaffing me. Didn't you come from that steamer over there?" demanded the young man, pointing at the Bellevite again.
"No, sir. I came from China, from a place they call Shensibangerwhang. Were you ever there?"
"I never was there, and I question if you were ever there."
"Do you mean to question my veracity?" demanded Christy, knitting his brow.
"Oh, no, not at all!"
"Very well; and when you go to Shensibangerwhang, I shall be glad to see you; and then I will endeavor to answer all the questions you desire to ask."
"I thought you came from that steamer over there."
"Thought made a world, but it wasn't your thought that did it."
"Of course you know the name of that steamer."
"Oh, now I think of her name! That is the Chicherwitherwing, and she belongs to the Chinese navy. She is sent out on a voyage of discovery to find the north pole, which she expects to reach here in the West Indies. When she finds it, I will let you know by mail, if you will give me your address," rattled Christy with abundant self-possession.