Page:The Rover Boys on the Ocean.djvu/110

98 out a pocket-comb, with which he adjusted his hair and his stubby mustache.

"Now stand straight and look happy!" cried Sam, as a crowd collected around. "Raise your right hand to your breast, just as all statesmen do. Up with your chin—don't drop your left eye—close your mouth—up with that ear—now then, don't budge on your life!"

Peleg Snuggers stood like a statue, his chin well up in the air and his eyes set into a steady stare. Sam elevated the tiny box and kept the man standing for fully half a minute, while the boys behind Snuggers could scarcely keep from roaring.

"There you are," said Sam at last. "Now wait a minute and the picture will be finished."

"Don't you have to print 'em in the sun?" asked Snuggers.

"No, this is a new patented process." Sam drew a square of tin from the box. "There you are, Peleg, and all for nothing."

"I don't see any picture," growled Snuggers, looking at the square blankly.

"You must breathe on it, Peleg; then the picture will come out beautifully. It's a little fresh yet."

Peleg Snuggers breathed on the square of tin as directed, and then there slowly came to view