CHAPTER XVIII.
THE FOURTH OF JULY.

INDEPENDENCE Day is, of course, a holiday
to every American citizen. Early in the
morning, Tom started with his father, to go
over to the island. He wanted to show Mixon
how successful he had been in dyeing.

It was the first time Mixon had been on the
island. The good-natured man was charmed
with Tom’s boat and his log-house, but more
with the beautiful colors Tom had succeeded
in manufacturing.

Mixon could not understand how, with the
aid of a few books, Tom could, in so short a
time, manage dyeing materials. He gave him
some information with regard to the mere me-
chanical part of the business, which would