"That is this way;" and he turned about, and directed his finger towards the interior of the island.

"That would put the craft you mean on the shore, wouldn't it ?" "Not a bit of it! I don't mean that way.

Don't you know the points of the compass ?" "I learned them when I was young, but I forget them now." "Pray how old are you, my friend ?" asked the stranger, who thought his companion was stupid enough to answer any question he might put to him.
"I was forty-two yesterday; and in a year from yesterday, I shall be forty-three, if I don't die of old age before that time," replied Christy, looking the other full in the face, and with as serious an expression as he could command.
"Forty-two! You are chaffing me.

Didn't you come from that steamer over there ?" demanded the young man, pointing at the Bellevite again.
"No, sir.

I came from China, from a place they call Shensibangerwhang.
Were you ever there ?" "I never was there, and I question if you were ever there." "Do you mean to question my veracity ?" demanded Christy, knitting his brow.
"Oh, no, not at all!" "Very well; and when you go to Shensibangerwhang, I shall be glad to see you; and then I will endeavor to answer all the questions you desire to ask." "I thought you came from that steamer over there." "Thought made a world, but it wasn't your thought that did it." "Of course you know the name of that steamer." "Oh, now I think of her name! That is the Chicherwitherwing, and she belongs to the Chinese navy.