"It's a long chance," he remarked to Harry, "there may be some one
there who understands English. Anyway they can see that I'm willing
to give money for something like the object I held up."
As much to Frank's astonishment as anyone else the next minute they
heard a hail from a canoe containing two particularly black Kroomen.
"Hey, boss;" one of them was shouting, "what you lost, eh?"
"Some one stole my field-glasses," shouted back Frank.
"All right, American massa," hailed back the Krooman, "I sail long
time 'Merican ships. I catch him for you."
"Well, what do you think of that?" demanded Billy. "If the Statue
of Liberty had come off her perch and done a song and dance you
couldn't have astonished me more than to hear that sack of coal talk
English."
"They take several of those fellows to sea on trading ships, that
stop in here for logs from the interior," struck in Ben. "It
wouldn't surprise me but what that fellow there has been in New York
harbor, yes, and in San Francisco too."
The boys looked their astonishment.
"They are good hard workers," went on Ben, "and make good sailormen.
They always come back here though in the end. They are as home
loving as a house cat."'
While the boys talked, their baggage was being hoisted into a
lighter that lay alongside, ready for shipment ashore.
Pages:
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36