THE STORM. 315

“ The port of Melbourne is two and a half miles from the city, though
the Yarra-Yarra river, boys, flows up to Melbourne, and smaller vessels
go there; but we stop here,’ said Uncle Nat.

“What is the name of Melbourne’s port?” asked Ralph.

“ Sandridge.”

It was now December, 1880, and Uncle Nat had told the boys they
should have an opportunity to see Australia’s International Exhibition
at Melbourne. Uncle Nat’s movements were delayed, but he told
Bumble-bee, who was going to the city, that he might take the
boys with him, and give them a look at the exhibition.

“°Fraid now, cap’n, T couldn’t manage both in a crowd; but I might

?

take jest one — Rick, say,” replied Bumble-bee.

Rick was getting to be a favorite with Bumble-bee; a rather singular
thing, for Bumble-bee was reckoned an enemy to boys im general.

“He’s pert, and sometimes can be sassy,” soliloquized the old
cook, explaining the matter to. himself; “but den he’s a heap
smart, and I see a zemblance between him and my grandson,
Nebuchadnezzav.”

Nebuchadnezzar was a colored young citizen of Charlestown, Mass.,
and the “zemblance” between him and Rick Old Bumble-bee had
suggested to Jack Bobstay. Jack could not appreciate it.

“ Oh, it’s not so much de — de features,” explained Old Bumble-
bee, “but it’s de ’spression.”

“Yes,” said Jack, “it must be that ;” for he had puzzled his brains
over the problem of the “ zemblance.”

Bumble-bee and Rick took the cars at Sandridge for Melbourne.

Alighting at the city station they found themselves in a crowd, all
bound for the Great Exhibition.

“Honey,” said the cook, “you jes’ grip me "hind, takin’ hold good,
an’ we'll go froo dis yer crowd in less dan no time.”