t nearer to the greedy corkscrew
eyes--"to see that it is a rare specimen, more perfect than often seen
in museums. I brought up this shell myself, with care choosing it; its
price is five dollars."

Mr. Endymion Scraper gave a scream, which he tried to turn into a
disdainful chuckle.

"Five cents would be nearer it!" he cried, angrily. "Think we're all
fools down here, hey? Go 'long with your five dollars."

"No, Senor, not all fools!" said the Skipper. "Many varieties among men,
as among shells. I am in no haste to sell the Voluta Musica. It has its
price, as gentleman knows by his catalogue. Here is a razor-shell;
perhaps the gentleman like that. Shave yourself or other people with
this!"

"I want to know!" interposed Mrs. Isaac Cutter, leaning forward eagerly,
spectacles on nose. "Can folks really shave with those, sir? They do
look sharp, now, don't they? What might you ask for a pair?"

"Perhaps not very easy to grind, lady!" replied the Skipper, with a
smile which won Mrs. Isaac's heart. "Not a rare shell, only fifty cents
the pair. Thank you, madam! To show you this? With gladness! This is the
Bleeding Tooth shell, found in plenty in West Indies. They have also
dentists under the sea, graciously observe. See here,--the whole family!
The baby, he have as yet no tooth, the little gum smooth and white.
Here, the boy! (_Como ti_, Juan Colorado!" this in a swift aside, caught
only by John's ear.) "The boy, he have a tooth pulled, you observe,
madam; here the empty space, with blood-mark, thus. Hence the name,
Bleeding Tooth. Here the father, getting old, has lost two teeth,
bleeding much; and this being the old grandfather, all teeth are gone,
again. Yes, curious family! You kindly accept these persons, madam,
with a wish that you never suffer of this manner."

Mrs. Isaac Cutter drew a long breath, and took the shells with a look of
delighted awe. "Well, I'm sure!" she said, "you're more than kind, sir.
I never thought--I do declare--Bleeding Tooth! Well, father, if that
isn't something to tell the folks at home!" Mr. Isaac Cutter grunted,
well pleased, and said, "That so!" several times, his vocabulary being
limited.

"Again, here," the Skipper continued, with a glance around, to make sure
that his audience was attentive, "again, here a curious thing, ladies
and gentlemen. The Nighthawk shell, not common in any part of the world.
The two halves held together of this manner, behold the nighthawk, as he
flies