“Where did you get the water that you made it of?”
“Why, massa cap’n, de steward scold me for wasting the fresh water for bile the ’taters, and said de salt was better; so I got it out ob de riber, too, to make dis coffee.”
Hungry as was the party, a hearty roar followed the explanation of this real African bull, and all hands were obliged, in good humor, to wait the making of fresh coffee.
The Shoulder of Mutton.—The blade bone of a shoulder of mutton is called in Scotland “a poor man,” as in some parts of England it is termed “a poor knight of Windsor.” Some years ago, an old Scottish peer chanced to be indisposed whilst he was in London attending parliament. The master of the hotel where he lodged, anxious to show attention to his noble guest, waited on him to enumerate the contents of his well-stocked larder, so as to endeavor to hit on something which might suit his appetite. “I think, landlord,” said his lordship, rising up from his couch, and throwing back the tartan plaid with which he had screened his grim and ferocious visage, “I think I could eat a morsel of a poor man.” The landlord fled in terror, having no doubt that his guest was a cannibal, who might be in the habit of eating a slice of a tenant, as light food, when under a regimen.
The Life of Columbus.
CHAPTER IV.
Columbus sails for Spain—Manner in which Columbus was welcomed on his arrival in Spain.
Having thus determined to return to Spain, Columbus selected thirty-nine of the crew, who were to remain. He established rules for their government, and, having made all the provision for their comfort in his power, he gave them a parting address. He recommended to them to treat the natives and one another kindly; to live amicably; to settle disputes which might arise; and he promised them, should his life be spared, to return to them at a future day.