or, The Silver Skates 171

bert, laughing in spite of himself, “that you have been kept in
happy ignorance of a good many ridiculous things on your side
of the map.”

“ Humph!” exclaimed Ben, trying not to smile. “I'll in-
quire into that lord-mayor business when I get home. There
must be some mistake. B-r-r-roooo! How fast we’re
going! This is glorious!”

It was a grand sail, or ride, I scarce know which to call it:
perhaps “ fly”? would be the best word; for the boys felt very
much as Sindbad did, when, tied to the roc’s leg, he darted
through the clouds; or as Bellerophon felt when he shot through
the air on the back of his winged horse, Pegasus. Sailing,
riding or flying, whichever it was, everything was rushing past,
backward; and, before they had time to draw a long breath,
Leyden itself, with its high-peaked roofs, flew halfway to meet
them.

When the city came in sight, it was high time to waken the
sleeper. That feat accomplished, Peter’s prophecy came to
pass. Master Jacob was quite restored, and in excellent
spirits.

The schipper made a feeble remonstrance when Peter, with
hearty thanks, endeavored to slip some silver-pieces into his
tough, brown palm.

“Ye see, young master,” said he, drawing away his hand,
“the regular line o’ trade ’s ove thing, and a favor ’s another.”

“T know it,” said Peter; ‘ but those boys and girls of yours
will want sweets when you get home. Buy them some in the
name of St. Nicholas.”

The man grinned. “Ay, true enough! I’ve young uns
in plenty, —a clean boat-load of them. You are a sharp
young master at guessing.”