They took them for great birds, the white sails for their wings, and the Spaniards for superior beings brought down from heaven on their backs." "Why, that's Columbus finding San Salvador.

Don't you know about him ?" demanded Bab, as if she were one of the "superior beings," and intimately acquainted with the immortal Christopher.
"No, I don't.

Who was he any way?
I s'pose that's him paddlin' ahead; but which of the Injuns is Sam Salvindoor ?" asked Ben, rather ashamed of his ignorance, but bent on finding out now he had begun.
"My gracious! twelve years old and not know your Quackenbos!" laughed Bab, much amused, but rather glad to find that she could teach the "whirligig boy" something, for she considered him a remarkable creature.
"I don't care a bit for your quackin' boss, whoever he is.

Tell about this fine feller with the ships; I like him," persisted Ben.
So Bab, with frequent interruptions and hints from Betty, told the wonderful tale in a simple way, which made it easy to understand; for she liked history, and had a lively tongue of her own.
"I'd like to read some more.

Would my ten cents buy a book ?" asked Ben, anxious to learn a little since Bab laughed at him.
"No, indeed! I'll lend you mine when I'm not using it, and tell you all about it," promised Bab; forgetting that she did not know "all about it" herself yet.
"I don't have any time only evenings, and then may be you'll want it," begun Ben, in whom the inky page had roused a strong curiosity.
"I do get my history in the evening, but you could have it mornings before school." "I shall have to go off early, so there won't be any chance.