the Arabian Nights' Entertainments. "You will find it very
interesting; just sit down and look at it."

Robert seated himself in a chair and read the story of the Forty
Thieves.

"Do you think these are true stories?" he asked when he had finished
it.

Mr. Knox replied they were true in so far as they described the
manners and customs of the people of Arabia and Persia. He did not
doubt the stories had been told in Babylon, Nineveh, and Damascus, and
he might think of the people in those cities sitting in the calm
evenings under the almond-trees on the banks of the Euphrates or the
river Abana listening to the story-teller, who probably did his best
to make the story entertaining.

"Doubtless," said Mr. Knox, "we think it would not be possible for
things to happen as they are narrated, but I am not quite sure about
that. One of the stories, for instance, tells how a man went through
the air on a carpet. We think it cannot be true, but here is a
pamphlet which tells how Henry Cavendish, in England, a little while
ago discovered a gas which he calls hydrogen. It is ten times lighter
than air--so light that another gentleman, Mr. Black, filled a bag
with it which took him off his feet and carried him round the room, to
the astonishment of all who beheld it. I shouldn't be surprised if by
and by we shall be able to travel through the air by a bag filled with
such gas."

Robert listened with intense interest, not being able to comprehend
how anything could be lighter than air. He was not quite sure that his
father and mother would approve of his reading a book that was not
strictly true, and he was sure that the good minister and deacons of
the church would shake their heads solemnly were they to know it; but
he could read it on his way home and hide it in the haymow and read it
on rainy days in the barn. But that would not be manly. No, he could
not do that. He would tell his father and mother and Rachel about it,
and read it to them by the kitchen fire. Hit or miss, he would
purchase the book.

Mr. Knox kindly offered to show him the Town House. They crossed the
street, and entered the council chamber. Lieutenant-Governor
Hutchinson and the members of the council were sitting in their
armchairs, wearing white wigs and scarlet cloaks. Their gold-laced
hats were lying on their desks. Lieutenant-Colonel Dalrymple,
commanding the king's troops, was seated by the side of Governor
Hutchinson as a visitor. Upon the walls