"He'll beat me," cried little John, driven fairly past himself. "He
beats me every time I'm late, or don't get my work done. I thank you
ever so much for being so kind, but I can't stay another minute."

"Adios, then, Señor Colorado!" said the Skipper, with a stately bow.
"You come soon again, I pray you. And if you will tell Sir Scraper, and
all those others, your friends, the shell schooner is here. Exhibition
in a few hours ready, free to all. Explanation and instruction when
desired by intelligent persons desiring of to know the habits under the
sea. Schooner 'Nautilus,' from the Bahamas, with remarkable collection
of shells and marine curiosities. Adios, Señor Juan Colorado!"




CHAPTER III.

A GREAT EXHIBITION.


Little John was not the one to spread the tidings of the schooner's
arrival. He had to take his whipping,--a hard one it was!--and then he
was sent down into the cellar to sift ashes, as the most unpleasant
thing that could be devised for a fine afternoon. But the news spread,
for all that. John was not the only boy in the village of Tidewater, and
by twelve o'clock every man, woman and child was talking about the new
arrival; and by two o'clock, the dinner dishes being put away, and the
time of the evening chores still some hours off, nearly every man, woman
and child was hastening in the direction of the wharf. Of course the
boys were going. It was vacation time, and what else should boys do but