in Germany on some festal night. As dad and I trotted along
towards home, the sparks of flame appeared now rising, now falling,
vanishing here, reappearing there, finally converging into a globe, or
"set piece," as at a pyrotechnic display, and then dispersing in
spangles of coruscation like a fizzed-out firework.

This beautiful effect, one of the wonders of a night in the West Indies,
was caused by the fireflies. Of these insects there are two distinct
species, one really a small fly which seems to be perpetually on the
wing, flitting in and out in the air always, and never at rest; while
the other is a species of beetle that is only seen in woody regions,
where it takes up a more stationary position, like the glowworm over
here. This latter has two large eyes at the back of its head, instead
of in front in their more natural place; and these eyes, when the insect
is touched, shoot forth two strong streams of greenish light, something
like that produced by an electric dynamo, while, at the same time, the
entire body of the "firefly," or beetle, becomes as incandescent as a
live coal.

The light which even one of these little creatures will give out is so
great that I have often seen dad, just for the sake of the experiment,
read a bit out of a newspaper on a dark evening with a firefly stuck in
a wine-glass for a candle!

For some time we jogged along silently; but just when we were nearing
Mount Pleasant I could not help asking dad what Captain Miles had meant
by that question he had asked him about taking me for a voyage.

I had been dying to know what the remark referred to ever since I had
overheard it, but waited, thinking that dad would tell me of his own
accord; so now, as he didn't speak, I had to brave the ordeal of the
inquiry.

"He wanted to take you home to England to school, Tom," replied dad
briefly in an absent sort of way, as if his thoughts were amongst the
fireflies.

"Really?" said I hesitatingly--"and--"

"And, I have not quite made up my mind in the matter yet, Tom. Besides
which, there's your mother to be consulted," interposed dad, answering
my second question before I could put it.

"And if mother does not mind, you will let me go, then, in the
_Josephine_ with Captain Miles, eh, dad?" I asked anxiously.

"I didn't say so, did I?" said dad quizzingly.

"But you meant it, dad, you meant it, I know," cried I exultantly.
"Hurrah, I am so glad! I am so glad!"

CHAPTER FIVE.