Nautilus
Book Excerpt
John nodded. He liked geography, and stood at the head of his class. "Part of the West Indies," he said, rapidly. "Low, coral islands. One of them, San Salvador, is said to be the first land discovered by Columbus in 1492. Principal exports, sugar, coffee, cotton, tobacco, and tropical fruits. Belong to Great Britain. That's all I know."
"Caramba!" said a handsome youth, who was lounging on the rail a few feet off, gazing on with idle eyes, "you got the schoolmaster here, Patron! I did not know all that, me, and I come, too, from Bahamas. Say, you teach a school, M'sieur?"
"Franci!" said the Patron, gravely.
"Si, Señor!" said Franci, with a beautiful smile, which showed his teeth under his black mustache.
"There is a school of flying-fish in the cabin. Better see to them!"
"Si, Señor!" said Franci, and disappeared down the hatchway.
"Is there?" asked the boy John, with great eyes of wonder. The Skipper