Dick, Marjorie and Fidge

Dick, Marjorie and Fidge, by G. E. Farrow,

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Title: Dick, Marjorie and Fidge A Search for the Wonderful Dodo
Author: G. E. Farrow

Release Date: November 18, 2007 [eBook #23541]
Language: English
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DICK, MARJORIE AND FIDGE
A Search for the Wonderful Dodo
by
G. E. FARROW
Author of Adventures in Wallypug Land
With Many Illustrations by Allan Wright

[Illustration: The skipper found the poor bird looking the picture of misery. "Hope you're feeling better, sir," he said.--Page 132. Dick, Marjorie and Fidge.]

A. L. Burt, Publisher, 52-58 Duane Street, New York

TO MY DEAR LITTLE FRIENDS.
Here is another book! I hope it will be as fortunate in pleasing you, as the others seem to have been, if I may judge from the many kind and gratifying letters which have reached me from boys and girls, of all ages and sizes, and from all parts of the world.
And in connection with these letters, which I always try (though the pleasurable task grows heavier year by year) to answer myself, I have had the misfortune to lose a large packet of unanswered ones; so if any of my little correspondents have written to me during the past year, and have not received a reply, will he or she write to me again, and give me an opportunity of repairing the omission?
I am getting quite proud of my gallery of photographs, which my little friends have sent me, and which, I think, please me almost more than anything else, if I may except a beautiful Persian kitten which has come as a present from a little girl at Hereford, and which is a prime favorite with every one here, including Dick, my little terrier, who--although he ought to know better at his age, being over eight--"galumphs" about in an absurdly clumsy manner, under the mistaken impression that he is playing with it. He only succeeds, however, in making himself ridiculous in the eyes of the kitten, who, despite his years, treats him with little or no respect, and does not hesitate to box his ears, and bite his tail whenever it feels so disposed.
But I see my space is nearly exhausted, so must conclude, with very best wishes, and hoping to hear again from all of my old friends, and as many new ones as care to write.
Believe me, Your affectionate friend, THE AUTHOR.

CONTENTS.
CHAPTER PAGE
I. THE BEGINNING OF A MARVELLOUS JOURNEY 1 II. THE AMBASSADOR EXTRAORDINARY 12 III. THE SAGE IN THE ONION FIELD 24 IV. STORIES AND TAILS BY THE SAGE 35 V. THE KING OF THE FISHES 47 VI. IN THE KING'S PRESENCE 59 VII. THE HUMAN RACE 68 VIII. THE DODO AT LAST 80 IX. AT THE NORTH POLE 92 X. SOME NEW ACQUAINTANCES 102 XI. THE SKIPPER OF THE "ARGONAUT" 113 XII. THE ARCH?OPTERYX 125 XIII. THE LITTLE PANJANDRUM'S BALLOON 135 XIV. THE DUFF AND DEM EXECUTIONER 145 XV. THE EXECUTION OF THE DODO 155 XVI. THE PREHISTORIC DOCTOR 165 XVII. WAITING FOR THE TRAIN 175 XVIII. A NIGHT IN THE TRAIN 185 XIX. AT THE CRYSTAL PALACE 195 XX. A DIFFICULTY WITH THE ROUNDABOUT 216 XXI. THE LITTLE PANJANDRUM AT LAST 217 XXII. TURNED TO STONE 228 XXIII. THE DODO'S LITTLE RUSE 236 XXIV. FIRST CLASS TO LONDON 245 XXV. THE DODO OBLIGES WITH A SONG 255 XXVI. THE DODO DEPARTS 263

DICK, MARJORIE AND FIDGE.
CHAPTER I.
THE BEGINNING OF A MARVELOUS JOURNEY.
"Dick! Dick! Wake up, I want to tell you something." Marjorie stood outside the boy's bedroom door, and called in as loud a whisper as she dared, fearing lest she should awaken the rest of the household. There was a scuffle and a patter of bare feet inside, and Dick appeared at the door rubbing his eyes, evidently only half awake.
"What's up?" he demanded.
"Hush! don't make a noise. There's such a funny sound down-stairs--I believe it's burglars. Listen!"
"Pooh! this time in the morning. What nonsense."
"Well it's been going on for ever so long, anyhow, and hark, there's something keeps banging about like anything in the breakfast-room."
Dick ran to the top of the stairs and listened. Sure enough, there was a most mysterious noise going on below,--a dull banging at regular intervals, and a curious lapping sound, as though there was water in the lower part of