"I know
the seed well enough."
"Well, if we require it, I can tell you how to dress it," replied Mr.
Seagrave. "Now, William, what is the next?"
"This odd-looking, rough thing."
"That's the egg-plant: it bears fruit of a blue colour. I am told they
eat it in the hot countries."
"Yes, sir, they do; they fry it with pepper and salt; they call it
bringal. I think it must be that."
"I do not doubt but you are right," replied Mr. Seagrave. "Why,
William, you should know this."
"It is like the grape-vine."
"Yes, and it is so; it is the wild grape; we shall eat them by and
bye."
"I have only one more, papa: what is this?"
"You don't know it, because it has sprung up so high, William; but it
is the common mustard plant, - what we use in England, and is sold as
mustard and cress. I think you have now made a famous day's work of it;
and we have much to thank God for."
As soon as they had returned to the house, a consultation was held as
to their future proceedings; and, after some debate, it was agreed that
it would be advisable that they should take the boat out of the sand;
and, as soon as it was ready, examine the reef on the southward, to see
if they could find a passage through it, as it would take a long while
to go round it; and, as soon as that was accomplished, Mr.
Pages:
274
275
276
277
278
279
280
281
282
283
284
285
286
287
288
289
290
291
292
293
294
295
296
297
298