Part 20 (1/2)

The steamer bad now struck the equator, and as it was midsummer the weather was extre fro But the weather suited Alexander Pop perfectly

”Dis aht,” he said ”I could sleep eall de tis”

”Blood will tell,” laughed Randolph Rover ”When you land, Alexander, you ought to feel perfectly at home”

”Perhaps, sah; but I dun reckon de United States aht you are,” put in dick ”It's the greatest country on the globe”

It was a clear day a week later when the lookout announced land dead ahead It proved to be a point fifteen o, and at once the course was altered to the southward, and they htfall

It was a beautiful scene Far away dashed the waves against an iantic forests of tropical growth and distant mountains veiled in a bluish mist: The river was so broad that they were scarcely aware that they were entering its ht ca silently over the bay of the town They dropped anchor a ocean trip becao ashore,” said Toain!”

”Indeed it will!” cried dick ”The ocean is all well enough, but a fellow doesn't want too much of it”

”And yet I heard one of the French sailors say that he hated the land,” put in Sam ”He hadn't set foot on shore for three years

When they reach port he always reain”

Morti all of the party a hearty good-by ”Hope we ood luck to you!”

”And good luck to you!” cried Toers you wish,” and so they parted, not to ain for many a day

It was decided that the Rovers should not leave the shi+p until ined that none of the boys slept soundly that night All wondered as before them, and if they should succeed or fail in their hunt

”Dis aint much ob a town,” remarked Aleck, as they landed, a little before noon, in a hot, gentle shower of rain ”Nuffin like New York”

”There is only one New York, as there is but one London,” answered Randolph Rover ”Our architecture would never do for such a hot cli line of squatty warehouses, backed up by narrow and far froether, and where a good share of the trading was done on the sidewalk The population was a very lish and French predoreasy appearing Hardly a one of thelish

”I don't see any Americans,” remarked dick ”I suppose--”

”There is an A across the way He had discovered a general trading store, the dilapidated sign of which read:

SIMON HOOK,

Dealer in Everything

English Spoken by an Aht

Yankee Boots Are the Best!

”He believes in advertising,” laughed dick ”I'd like to go in and see Si about father!” he added suddenly