INTRODUCTORY FABLE
so high in the water—a dead whale rises high on its back!"
"No," said Luis; "it is really a steam water waggon."
"With smoke coming from fire in it, as from the locomotive?"
"Yes."
" But the fire would burn it up. . . ."
"The body is doubtless iron, like the locomotive."
"Iron would sink. Throw your hatchet in the river and see."
The steam-boat came to shore, close to the boys. Running to it, to their joy, they perceived on its deck an old friend of their family, a neighbouring planter.
"Come, boys!" he said, "and I will show you round this steam-boat."
After a long inspection of the machinery the two boys sat with their old friend on the foredeck in the shade of an awning.
"Pedro," said Luis, "will not men some day invent a ship to sail in the sky?"
The common-sense old planter glanced with apprehension at the youth's face, flushed with ardour.
7
