68 Hans Brinker

““Ha, ha! that’s like good bacon,” cried Ludwig, — “a
streak of lean and a streak of fat.”

‘That ’s Jacob’s English cousin,” put in Master Voost,
delighted at being able to give the information. “ That’s his
English cousin; and, oh, he’s
got such a funny little name !—
Ben Dobbs. He’s going to
stay with him until after the
grand race.”

All this time the boys had
been spinning, turning, “ roll-
ing,” and doing other feats upon
their skates in a quiet way, as
they talked ; but now they stood
still, bracing themselves against
the frosty air, as Jacob Poot
and his friend drew near.

“This is my cousin, boys,”
said Jacob, rather out of breath,
— “Benjamin Dobbs. He’s
a John Bull; and he’s going

to be in the race.”
JACOB AND BEN: ‘¢A STREAK OF All

LEAN AND A STREAK OF FAT.”’

 

crowded, boy-fashion,
about the new-comers. Ben-

jamin soon made up his mind that the Hollanders, notwith-

standing their queer gibberish, were a fine set of fellows.

If the truth must be told, Jacob had announced his cousin
as “ Penchamin Dopps,” and called him a “Shon Pull;” but,
as I translate every word of the conversation of our young
friends, it is no more than fair to mend their little attempts
at English. Master Dobbs felt at first decidedly awkward