d,--are they not?" inquired she,
somewhat dryly.

"Like enough, like enough," replied the other, carelessly, and not in
the least appreciating the rebuke.

From the lady before referred to Mysie received an answer to her
oft-repeated question,--

"Is there any tradition how the island received its name?"

"Oh, yes," was the unexpected and welcome answer. "All the islands near
here were granted by the King of England to a gentleman whose name is
forgotten; but he had four daughters, among whom he divided his new
possessions.

"This one, remarkable then, as now, in a degree, for its abundance of
wild grapes, he gave to Martha as her Vineyard.

"The group to the north, consisting of Pennikeese, Cuttyhunk, Nashawena,
Naushon, Pasqui, and Punkatasset, are called the Elizabeth Islands, from
the daughter who inherited them.

"That little island to the southwest of us was Naomi's portion. It is
now called Noman's Land, and is remarkable only for the fine quality of
the codfish caught and cured there.

"The strangest of all, however, was the name given to the island
selected by Ann, which was first called Nan-took-it, and is now known as
Nantucket."

"Thank Heaven, that I at last know something about Martha!" ejaculated
Mysie.

* * * * *

At length, every corner filled with _specimens_, every face deeply
imbrowned by sun and wind, and the Baron with only the ghost of a pair
of shoes to his feet, our travellers set their faces homeward,--Caleb
resolving to renew his acquaintance with the birds at some future
period, his imagination having been quite inflamed by the accounts of
plover and grouse to be found here in their season. The latter, however,
are very strictly protected by law during most of the season, on account
of the rapidity with which they were disappearing. They are identical
with the prairie-fowl, so common at the West, and are said to be
delicious eating.

Desirous to improve their minds and manners by as much travel as
possible, the trio resolved to leave the island by the way of Edgartown,
the terminus of the steamboat route. Bidding adieu to their kind and
obliging host and hostess, the twelve children, and the pleasant new
friend, they set out, upon the most charming of all autumn days, for
Edgartown, fully prepared to be dazzled by its beauty and confounded by
its magnificence.

"Edgartown is a much finer place than Holmes's Hole, I understand,"
remarked Caleb