s
expressions were very humorous, particularly when he insisted that the
wires were mad, and didn't like him, and that they tried to pull his
arms out of his shoulders.

Harry then took two of the wires and brought them together, and then
pulled them apart. Each time this was done, a spark would flash. The
object was to show that two wires were necessary to produce a circuit or
a current.

Eventually an inspiration seemed to strike him, as he exclaimed: "They
are married! Yes, I see!"

The boys laughed as they told John of the circumstance, and how utterly
impossible it was to produce a current until a circuit was established.

John threw himself back and roared at the recital of the story, as told
by the boys. "I think his description is a pretty good one. Perhaps he
was thinking of the family circle?" and John continued to laugh as the
boys tried to grasp the full meaning of his little joke.

But Ta Babeda was an apt pupil. He was far more acute than Beralsea, and
there scarcely was an hour but he had one of the boys at his side trying
to fathom some of the mysteries in the new world. This was in the nature
of a picnic for the boys, who enjoyed his curious questions and his
equally unexpected comments.

Ephraim, too, was generally present, as well as Camma, his eldest son,
the latter evincing remarkable knowledge for one who had never known of
the wizardry that resides in wood and stones and iron.

To Ephraim this opportunity to open the wide world to his children must
have been a heaven of delight, and he reveled in every hour and even
regretted that nature demanded sleep. It seemed to be better awake and
seeing and feeling. Two weeks prior to this he had merely existed; now
he was a man again, and living.

It was, indeed, a merry party on board of the noble ship. When the
Chief, and those about him were told that the vessel was the creation of
George and Harry, it was another occasion to marvel over.

"Your boys can do the same thing, and make other things just as
wonderful," said John, as they were commending and petting the boys.

"Do you think so!" asked Ta Babeda, in great earnestness, and for the
first time showing any curiosity or indicating any desire to give his
children any advantages.

John saw that the leaven was working, as he replied: "That is why I have
been so anxious to have you and your children visit our city. Your wife
and daughters will find as many surprising things to interest them