SAILORS

When I am grown to be a man
I'll be a sailor if I can;
For sailors, everywhere they roam
Are sure to find a welcome home.

They sail upon the many seas
We learn of in Geographies,
And steer their ship by sun and star
From Vera Cruz to Zanzibar.

They visit Chili and Japan,
And Guyaquil and Yucatan,
And they have friends in Martinique
And relatives in Mozambique.

And all about the world they sail
In wind and storm and mighty gale,
So they can tell the tales they do
That children love to listen to.

And so when I am grown a man
I'll be a sailor, if I can,
And sail upon the many seas
We learn of in Geographies.

[Illustration]

CHAPTER XV

And under the skillful command of Jackie Tar, they reached India.

"We'd better land at night," said Jackie Tar, "so we won't be bothered
with a lot of people watching us."

So they waited until it was dark.

"I've been thinking," said Jackie Tar. "Once when I was here before, I
saw some magicians who did wonderful tricks. They are called Hindus. A
Hindu is an Indian."

"Oh, I know," said Kernel Cob, "he's got red skin and wears feathers
in his hair."

"No!" said Jackie Tar. "That's an American Indian; but these Hindus
are born in India where we are now."

"Tell us about the tricks," said Sweetclover.

"Well," said Jackie Tar, "there isn't a trick which they can't do.
Once I saw them make a little boy run up a long pole and when he came
to the top he disappeared."

"You mean to say they can do that?" asked the Villain.

"They sure can," answered Jackie Tar. "And my idea is this: If they
can do that, maybe they can show you where Jackie and Peggs'
motheranfather are."

"What makes you so smart, Jackie Tar?" asked the Villain.

"I don't know," said he, "I guess I was just born that way."

"Well, let's go ashore and ask one of them to help us," said Kernel
Cob.

"Aye, aye, mates," said Jackie Tar.

So they went ashore, and walked along the streets until they came to a
little house that Jackie Tar said he remembered as being the house
where a magician lived.

And they knocked upon the door and it opened. And they went inside and
all was quiet and black as night. And they groped their way till they
heard a low mumbling sound, and, pulling aside a curtain, they saw an
old man