"I am surprised at your ignorance of natural history, Hans. Yes, the
real jibberjacker has ten feet, although a branch of the family, known
as the jibbertwister, has only eight feet."

"Well, go on. He planked his ten feets by der floor town--"

"He held on and so did we, and it was a regular tug of war between us.
Sam was swallowed as far as the waist, and couldn't do anything to help
himself. You just ask Sam if that isn't so."

"When Tom tells the truth it's a fact every time, Hans," answered Sam,
who felt as if he would choke from suppressed laughter.

"So the blamed old jibberjacker held on and held on," continued Tom.
"Then we gave a tug and he gave a tug, and all of a sudden Sam came
out. The shock was so great it threw Dick and me clear across the room,
and through a doorway into the next room. But the poor jibberjacker
fared still worse."

"How vos dot?"

"He flew up against the outside wall, and his weight was so great he
went right through the side of the building, and landed on some rocks
below. All of his ten legs were broken, and of course he couldn't get
away, so we went down, got a long cross-cut saw, and sawed off his
head. Now, if you don't believe that story, you come to our house
sometime and I'll show you the cross-cut saw."

Hans stared in breathless amazement. His solemn face was too much for