y some of the dignitaries
of the city who had come down to the harbor to see the strange
vessel; but no one could give any information in regard to Apple
Island, the name of which had never been heard on those shores. The
Captain was naturally desirous of knowing at what place he had
landed, and was informed that this was the Island of the Fragile
Palm.

"That is rather an odd name," said the old Captain. "Why is it so
called?"

"The reason is this," said his informant. "Near the centre of the
island stands a tall and very slender palm-tree, which has been
growing there for hundreds of years. It bears large and handsome
fruit which is something like the cocoanut; and, in its perfection,
is said to be a transcendently delicious fruit."

"Said to be!" exclaimed the Captain; "are you not positive about it?"

"No," said the other; "no one living has ever tasted the fruit in its
perfection. When it becomes overripe, it drops to the ground, and,
even then, it is considered royal property, and is taken to the
palace for the King's table. But on fete-days and grand occasions
small bits of it are distributed to the populace."

"Why don't you pick the fruit," asked Captain Covajos, "when it is in
its best condition to eat?"

"It would be impossible," said the citizen, "for any one to climb up
that tree, the trunk of which is so extremely delicate and fragile
that the weight of a man would probably snap it; and, of course, a
ladder placed against it would produce the same result. Many attempts
have been made to secure this fruit at the proper season, but all of
them have failed. Another palm-tree of a more robust sort was once
planted near this one in the hope that when it grew high enough, men
could climb up the stronger tree and get the fruit from the other.
But, although we waited many years the second tree never attained
sufficient height, and it was cut down."

"It is a great pity," said the Captain; "but I suppose it cannot be
helped." And then he began to make inquiries about the merchants in
the place, and what probability there was of his doing a little trade
here. The Captain soon discovered that the cargo of his ship was made
up of goods which were greatly desired by the citizens of this place;
and for several days he was very busy in selling the good things to
eat, the sweet things to smell, the fine things to wear, and the
beautiful things to look at, with which the hold of the "Horn o'
Plenty" was crowded.