Page:Tudor Jenks--Imaginotions.djvu/39

Rh would have guessed what the roller-skate was for in a jiffy. Just see here." Then Marmaduke took a pencil from his pocket, and seizing a piece of the pine box, began to draw a picture.

Now Marmaduke was a natural artist, and consequently spoke a universal language. The natives bent over to see what he was doing, and even the chief elbowed his way to the front, after pushing over several of the other selfish spectators.

Marmaduke made a picture of himself on roller-skates, gliding gracefully over the ground, and drew a native running at full speed beside him. In vain did "Old Rattle-box" stand outside shaking his head and muttering his disapproval. Marmaduke's picture had excited the natives' curiosity, and when he leaned over and took a pair of skates from the box, seated himself, and proceeded to put them on, only one hand was raised to prevent him. Rattle-box tried to take the skates from his hand, and was soundly cuffed by the deeply interested chief. Then we knew that the tide had turned.

In a moment Marmaduke strapped on the skates and arose to his feet. Luckily, the floor was of hard beaten earth and made an excellent rink. As he glided gently along the floor the chief caught him by the arm, pointed to the door, smiled very significantly, and shook his head.

"That's all right, old man," said Marmaduke cordially. "I'm not going away. At least, not till I 've sold out my skates. Put a guard at the door!" and he pointed to a soldier and then at the doorway. The chief was a quick-witted old warrior, and he saw the point at once. The guard was posted. Then Marmaduke, who was an excellent skater, motioned the crowd back, and cut pigeon-wings to the admiration of his spectators.

They laughed and shouted and clapped their hands with delight. At last Marmaduke said to me, "Don't you think that's enough for the present?"