n a dwalm," suggested Benjy.

"We'll change the subject," said Alf, opening his botanical box and
taking out several specimens of plants and rocks. "See, here are some
bits of rock of a kind that are quite new to me."

"What's de use ob dem?" inquired Butterface with a look of earnest
simplicity.

"The use?" said Benjy, taking on himself to reply; "why, you flat-nosed
grampus, don't you know that these bits of rock are made for the express
purpose of being carried home, identified, classified, labelled, stuck
up in a museum, and stared at by wondering ignoramuses, who care nothing
whatever about them, and know less. Geologists are constantly going
about the world with their little hammers keeping up the supply."

"Yes, Butterface," said Alf, "Benjy is partly correct; such specimens
will be treated as he describes, and be stared at in blank stupidity by
hundreds of fellows like himself, but they will also be examined and
understood by geologists, who from their profound knowledge of the plans
which our Creator seems to have had in arranging the materials of the
earth, are able to point out many interesting and useful facts which are
not visible to the naked and unscientific eye, such, for instance, as
the localities where coal and other precious things may be found."

"Kin dey tell whar' gold is to be found, massa Alf?"

"O yes, they can tell that."

"Den it's dis yer chile as wishes," said Butterface with a sigh, "dat he
was a jollygist."

"Oh! Butterface, you're a jolly goose at all events," said Benjy;
"wouldn't it be fun to go and discover a gold mine, and dig up as much
as would keep us in happy idleness all the rest of our lives? But I
say, Alf, have you nothing better than geological specimens in your
box--no grubological specimens, eh?"

Alf replied by producing from his box a paper parcel which contained
some of the required specimens in the shape of biscuit and pemmican.

"Capital! Well, you are a good fellow, Alf. Let us make a table-cloth
of the paper--now, you undisciplined black, don't glare so at the
victuals, else you'll grow too hungry for a moderate supply."

When the trio were in the full swing of vigorous feeding, the negro
paused, with his mouth full, to ask Alf what would be the use of the
North Pole when it was discovered.

"Make matches or firewood of it," said Benjy just as he was about to
stop up his impudent mouth with a lump of pemmican.

"Truly, of what use the Pole itsel