But as he turned over the specimens, he began to ask me about Cripple Charlie, whose letter he had read.

Meanwhile he kept selecting specimens, and then, returning them to the main body again, "Ah, we mustn't be robbing Alister, or he'll never die Provost of Aberdeen." In the end he had gathered a very choice and gorgeous little lot, and then I discovered their destination.

"We'll get them set up when we get home," he said; "I hope Charlie 'll like 'em.

They'll put the old puffin's nose out of joint, anyway, for as big as it is!" Our ship was a steamship, a well-found vessel, and we made a good passage.

The first mate was an educated man, and fond of science.