New National Fourth Reader | Page 9

Half an hour later she was the best-fed cat in
that part of New York City, and that night she lay snugly curled up
with a good warm blanket over her.
Of course, the first thing to do with an adopted cat is to give it a name,
and Jack Harmon, who was a bit of a wag in his way, and a great
admirer of the monster elephant which was just then making such a stir
in New York, called his new pet "Jumbo."
Jumbo soon became the pet of the whole crew, and of the passengers,
too, when they came on board, a few days later, for the voyage back to
England.
Before we were half-way across the ocean, the bits of meat or cake, and
bits of white bread soaked in milk, which were being constantly given
her by one and another, had made her look as round as an apple.
The ladies were never tired of stroking her soft fur and admiring her
dainty white paws, which were now as spotless as snow. The children
romped all day with this new playmate, who seemed to enjoy the sport
quite as much as themselves.
But Jumbo was not content with mere play. She seemed to think herself
bound to do something to "work her passage." Whenever any of the
crew went aloft to take in sail, Jumbo would always climb up, too, as if
to help them.
Jack Harmon was still her favorite, and whenever it came his turn to

stand at the bow and keep watch, there was Jumbo going backward and
forward.
On the eighth night of the voyage, the stars looked dim and watery, and
a low bank of clouds began to rise to windward of us, just between sea
and sky.
The old sailors shook their heads and looked grave, as if they expected
an unusual storm. Suddenly the wind began to blow strongly upon the
starboard quarter, stirring up a cross-sea which tossed the great ship
like a toy.
Nearly all the passengers had gone below, and the few who remained
on deck buttoned their water-proof coats, and held tightly on by any
thing they could seize.
Jack Harmon had shut up his cat below, but poor puss escaped
somehow, for all at once a shrill cry was heard, and there was Jumbo
clinging to a rail, with a great mountain of a wave coming right down
upon her.
Several men sprang toward the spot, but Jack was foremost, and he had
just reached his little pet when down came the great wave upon them
both.
Instantly the whole after-deck was one roaring, foaming waterfall, the
flying spray of which blinded one for a moment. But when it cleared,
there stood our brave Jack--dripping, bruised, and bleeding from a cut
on the head.
But his little favorite was safe in his arms, and as he came back with
her, such a cheer went up from all who were on deck, as the old ship
had not heard for many a day.
"Let's send round the hat for him," said one of the passengers.
And the hat was sent around, so successfully that Jack got enough
money to give his poor old mother a happy Christmas, and still have
something left over for himself and Jumbo, who was his mother's pet
ever after.
* * * * *
Directions for Reading.--Should this lesson be read with the same tone
of voice as Lessons V. and VI.?
In the first paragraph, do not say pier rin for _pier in; dir' tand_ for dirt
and.
Point out two other places in the lesson where mistakes similar to those

just given might occur.
* * * * *
Language Lesson.--Syllabify, accent, and mark the sounds of letters in
the following words: _cargo, officer, blanket, passengers, instantly,
bleeding_.
Work her passage means to pay her fare by making herself useful.
Make out an analysis in six parts for this lesson, and use it in telling the
story in your own words.
* * * * *

LESSON VIII.
loi'ter ing, _going slowly, lingering_.
pro tect'or, one who keeps another from harm.
throng'ing, gathering in large numbers.
wrecked, dashed to pieces.
thatched, covered with straw or twigs.
bronzed, _brown, darked-colored_.
bleach'ing, whitening.
van'ished, _gone out of sight; departed suddenly_.
rapt'ure, _great joy; delight_.
* * * * *

RESCUED.
"Little lad, slow wandering across the sands so yellow, Leading safe a
lassie small--O tell me, little fellow, Whither go you, loitering in the
summer weather, Chattering like sweet-voiced birds on a bough
together?"
"I am Robert, if you please, and this is Rose, my sister, Youngest of us
all"--he bent his curly head and kissed her, "Every day we come and
wait here till the sun is setting,