island, it turned out that all these authorities, discovering such profound knowledge, were wide off the mark.  In addition to this, the fleet, after a long and pleasant cruise, which afforded the officers amusement enough to last them a life-time, at length found the island, which was so small that even the most reliable chart makers had neglected to locate it.  They were, therefore, so much diverted at its apparent insignificance that they came to the very sensible conclusion that the few birds having their nests in it had the best claim to it; and, indeed, that to disturb them would be to inflict a great cruelty.  After coming to this conclusion they returned home in excellent humor, and reported the result of the expedition (the report covered some sixteen folios) to the government at Washington, presenting it at the same time with a casket containing four ounces of the rich and highly-scented treasure found thereon.  And I am informed that the government was so pleased with the result of this costly expedition that it has ever since remained profoundly silent on the subject-even refusing an enormous sum offered by a Philadelphia bookseller for the report, which he was anxious to publish, out of sheer love for the public.  However, open questions of the smallest kind being indispensable to great governments, inasmuch as they afford occupation to diplomatists, and such idlers as follow the trade of politics, I must not forget to mention here that our government still continues secretly to dispute the point with the Kaloramas; even threatening to thrash them right soundly, unless they relinquish their claim.  And here Spark Island stands, like the lone steeple of some forsaken church.”  Thus the commander concluded, when General Potter, who declared the history had deeply interested him, laid his hand confidentially on the arm of the speaker, saying:  “There is, I verily believe, something said in my instructions concerning this Island.  Just let me alone, and I warrant to have it safe in the possession of our government, (and a dozen more just like it!) in less time than you have been talking about it.  As for the priest, though he never did me any harm, I hold it well that the amorous rascal was banished in a canoe, that being an easy way of getting rid of him.  But my heart is tender, and you speak in such praise of this Matura’s beauty, and chastity, that I shall surely go to bed weeping, if, indeed, I do not dream of hand to hand combats with her hard-hearted father.  I shall not forget this affair, Mr. Commander! and shall give King Nebo to understand that I know all about the dirty tricks of his ancestors.”

“I would like to know,” inquired Mr. Tickler, “if there was anything said in the manuscript left by the priest, about his seeing Spark Island rise from the sea with his own eyes?”

“Nothing could have been more minutely described,” replied the commander.  “One moment there was only a broad sea-plain before him, in the next he saw it shoot up like a spark, which was why he called it Spark Island.”  Mr. Tickler declared himself entirely satisfied with this explanation, and was sure the priest could not have been mistaken.