CHAPTER THIRTEEN.

HUGGERMUGGER HALL.


The next morning Huggermugger appeared on the beach with his big
basket, and took away about half a dozen of the sailors. Zebedee and
Little Jacket went with them. It was a curious journey, jogging along
in his basket, and hanging at such a height from the ground. Zebedee
could not help thinking what a capital thing it would be in America to
have a few big men like him to lift heavy stones for building, or to
carry the mail bags from city to city, at a railroad speed. But, as to
travelling in his fish-basket, he certainly preferred our
old-fashioned railroad cars.

[Illustration: A NEW MODE OF CONVEYANCE.]

They were all entertained very hospitably at Huggermugger Hall. They
had a good dinner of fish, frogs, fruit, and vegetables, and drank a
kind of beer, made of berries, out of Mrs. Huggermugger's thimble,
much to the amusement of all. Mrs. Huggermugger showed them her
beautiful shell, and made Little Jacket tell how he had crept out of
it, and let himself down by the fishing-line. And Huggermugger made
him act over again the scene of hiding in the boot. At which all
laughed again. The little people declined their hosts' pressing
invitation to stay all night, so Huggermugger took them all back to
their boat. They had enough to tell on board ship about their visit.
The next day, and the day after, others of the crew were entertained