“Yes; it grows extensively in Florida, Cuba and Mexico, and it is found in many varieties throughout China and in India, in which latter country it is called The Pride of India. In China it is called the China Tree.”
When the boys had bathed and clothed themselves they were transformed into new beings.
“Oh, tell us about the boys, and how you happened to come down here, and who are they!”
The Professor told them the names of the boys, and continued: “I want the boys themselves to tell you all about what they have been doing, and where we live, and what a fine time we have had ever since we were shipwrecked.”
The Professor’s predictions were true. The chief had an elaborate meal prepared, and the boys and the Professor sat down with the chief. He remarked to the boys: “The meal looks most inviting, and it is a trial not to partake, but I can stand it a few days more.”
The Professor showed the greatest deference to the chief, and at every proffer of food which the chief made to the boys he acknowledged it in the most courtly manner.
The finest woven and matted leaves were provided by the chief in a spacious hut adjoining the chief’s home. Through the boys he began a conversation with the chief, and learned many interesting things, which will be detailed later. His first desire now was, in the quiet of their new home, to learn something of the rudiments of the language.
The boys knew most of the things commonly used by name, and some of the verbs, and these the Professor quickly acquired. He had a most wonderful memory, and could memorize pages without much effort, so that before morning he knew all that the boys had learned of the jargon, for it was but little else.
In the morning when he approached the chief, he greeted him in his own tongue, not with great fluency, it is true, but he used the little he did acquire to good advantage. The chief marveled at this, because heretofore he had not uttered a word to indicate that he understood the tongue, and the chief could not for a moment comprehend that it was possible for him to learn the language in a night.
After this first interview, the boys were no less amazed at the memory displayed.