Just before he reaches me he falls face down, doubtless out
of respect for my gray hairs, and, on arising, proffers me
the Lol Ipop, now coated with sand. In this state I am
expected to eat it, and, being in great awe and fear of the
inhabitants, I proceed to do so, which incapacitates me for
further epistolatory effort.
So, till I recover from the effects of my enforced meal,
believe me your devoted correspondent,
THE BOTTLE MAN.
"Well, of all mean tricks!" Jerry said.
"It's worse than a continued story," I said. "Bother the horrid
native child! Do you suppose that's really why he stopped?"
"Probably not; he knew it was the excitingest place to stop. What
did I tell you about his being ancient? Now he _says_ he has gray
hairs, so that proves it."
"I should think he might," I said, "after such experiences. What do
you think it could have been that stared at him?"
"An octopus, most likely," Jerry said. "They have goggly black eyes;
I've read it."
"But he said he'd never seen such eyes on any sea beast he knew of,
and he's read as much as you have; that's sure."
"That treasure! Oh, my eye!" Jerry sighed. "Do you suppose he
brought home hunks of it?"
"Just the same hunks that we dig up on Wecanicut, I suppose," I
said.
"You mean you think he's making up the whole yarn?" Jerry asked.
"Well, even if he is, it's a mighty good one, and it might have
happened to him, at that.
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