Callers of one sort and another kept us quite busy that morning.
The Doctor had no sooner gone below to stow away his note-books
than another visitor appeared upon the gang-plank. This was a
most extraordinary-looking black man. The only other negroes I
had seen had been in circuses, where they wore feathers and bone
necklaces and things like that. But this one was dressed in a
fashionable frock coat with an enormous bright red cravat. On
his head was a straw hat with a gay band; and over this he held a
large green umbrella. He was very smart in every respect except
his feet. He wore no shoes or socks.

"Pardon me," said he, bowing elegantly, "but is this the ship of
the physician Dolittle?"

"Yes," I said, "did you wish to see him?"

"I did--if it will not be discommodious," he answered.

"Who shall I say it is?"

"I am Bumpo Kahbooboo, Crown Prince of Jolliginki."

I ran downstairs at once and told the Doctor.

"How fortunate!" cried John Dolittle. "My old friend Bumpo!
Well, well!--He's studying at Oxford, you know. How good of him
to come all this way to call on me!" And he tumbled up the ladder
to greet his visitor.