It was while they were strolling through a little glade, which they came upon unexpectedly, that Washington, who was in the lead called out:
“Gracious goodness! It must be Thanksgivin’!”
“Why so?” asked Jack.
“'Cause here’s th’ remarkablest extraordinary and expansionist of a pumpkin that ever I laid eyes on!” the colored man cried.
They all hurried to where Washington had come to a halt. There, on the ground in front of him, was a big round object, about the size of a hogshead. It was yellow in color, and was not unlike the golden vegetable from which mothers make such delicious pies.
“I allers was fond of pumpkins,” said Washington, placing his hand on the thing, which was almost as tall as he was, “but I never thought I’d come across such a one as this.”
The professor and the two boys went closer to the monstrosity. Mr. Henderson passed his hand over it and then, bending closer, smelled of it.
“That’s not a pumpkin!” he exclaimed.
“What is it then?” asked Washington.
“It’s a giant peach,” the inventor remarked. “Can’t you see the fuzz, and smell it? Of course it’s a peach.”