iffa, and Lippy with her mother. By that time Lippy had been
provided with a bonnet similar to that of her friend Ziffa, and her
mother had been induced to mount a flannel petticoat, which she wore
tied round her neck or her waist, as her fancy or her forgetfulness
inclined her. The party had accompanied Zeppa to observe the effect of
this bundle on Rosco.

That worthy was seated on a low couch constructed specially for him by
Ebony. He was busy reading.

"Welcome, friends all," he said, with a look of surprise at the
deputation-like visit.

"We have come to present you with a little gift, Rosco," said Zeppa,
unrolling the bundle and holding up to view a couple of curious
machines.

"Wooden legs!" exclaimed Rosco with something between a gasp and a
laugh.

"That's what they are, Rosco. We have been grieved to see you creeping
about in such a helpless fashion, and dependent on Ebony, or some other
strong-backed fellow, when you wanted to go any distance, so Orlando and
I have put our heads together, and produced a pair of legs."

While he was speaking the on-lookers gazed in open-eyed-and-mouthed
expectancy, for they did not feel quite sure how their footless friend
would receive the gift.

"It is kind, _very_ kind of you," he said, on recovering from his
surprise; "but how am I to fix them on? there's no hole to shove the
ends of my poor legs into."

"Oh! you don't shove your legs into them at all," said Zeppa; "you've
only got to go on your knees into them--see, this part will fit your
knees pretty well--then you strap them on, make them fast, and away you
go. Let's try them."

To the delight of the women and children, Rosco was quite as eager to
try on the legs as they were to see him do it. The bare idea of being
once more able to walk quite excited the poor man, and his hands
trembled as he tried to assist his friend in fixing them.

"Keep your hands away altogether," said Zeppa; "you only delay me.
There now, they're as tight as two masts. Hold on to me while I raise
you up."

At that moment Tomeo, Buttchee, Ebony, Ongoloo, Wapoota, and Orlando
came upon the scene.

"What a shame, father," cried the latter, "to begin without letting us
know!"

"Ah! Orley, I'm sorry you have found us at it. Marie and I had planned
giving you a surprise by making Rosco walk up to you."

"Never mind," cried Rosco impatiently; "just set me on my pins, and I'll
soon walk into him. Now then, hoist away!"