"Yes," replied Jack, "quite enough; but then it will give us a
great deal more than enough of heat in this warm climate of ours."

"True," said Peterkin; "I forgot that. It would roast us."

"Well, as you're always doing that at any rate," remarked Jack, "we
could scarcely call it a change. But the fact is, I've been
thinking over this subject before. There is a certain nut growing
in these islands which is called the candle-nut, because the
natives use it instead of candles, and I know all about it, and how
to prepare it for burning - "

"Then why don't you do it?" interrupted Peterkin. "Why have you
kept us in the dark so long, you vile philosopher?"

"Because," said Jack, "I have not seen the tree yet, and I'm not
sure that I should know either the tree or the nuts if I did see
them. You see, I forget the description."

"Ah! that's just the way with me," said Peterkin with a deep sigh.
"I never could keep in my mind for half an hour the few
descriptions I ever attempted to remember. The very first voyage I
ever made was caused by my mistaking a description, or forgetting
it, which is the same thing. And a horrible voyage it was. I had
to fight with the captain the whole way out, and made the homeward
voyage by swimming!"

"Come, Peterkin," said I, "you can't get even ME to believe that."

"Perhaps not, but it's true, notwithstanding," returned Peterkin,