The Washington times., 1906-03-25

us, for, when Shem sounded he found
twenty-seven fathoms of water all
around the Ark
ut certainly seemed as if we had
been banged up against by some
thing" said Pop. "but what on earth
or. rather, on water, could be big
enough to give us such sensation?
Surely no fish is large enough TO
make any impression on a craft as
great as this!"
Whatever il was It got away
quick enough said Ham. Il was
on deck in two minutes and there
was nothing in sight anywhere"
After breakfast we heard a loud
yell from one Of the toucans who was
taking a rainwater bath In a window
and then a chorus of noises from
all the animals.
Rum" shouted Shem. Those
gorillas or some other monk is up
TO mischief, sure as you're borni"
Ham and hurried below to find
every animal eagerly and excitedly
gazing out over the flood. OF In the
distance we saw a tall spout of water
rise into the air for many feet and
fall with a splash 1 yelled for Pop
to come. The fountain rose Just as
he arrived and he was as much
amazed as we.
That's the Queerest thing we
have seen yeti" said he. Looks
like there was a submarine hose
company at work down there!"
Ham inquired among the animals
10 learn If any of them knew what
caused the wonder. but all admitted
total ignorance OF the cause Of the
curious spectacle.
ut is certainly a remarkable phe-
nomenon!" declared Bilhah.
II never heard of such an animal,
said I. What is phenomenon"
That's not an animal" explained
Shem, kindly, instead of laughing at
me. "A phenomenon is something
that only happens once in a while,
like a small gas bill or a woman who
hates fine clothes or something like
that"
Look" shouted the chimpanzee.
There's your phenomenon! It's a
big fish"
Sure enough, there beside the Ark
was what looked like an immense
fish. almost as long rs our vessel.
It's head was square and its body
black and shining and its little eyes,
far back from its nose. lwinkled and
cleaned pleasantly az II looked up
at us. Then it came nearer and. as
we stared down at it, asked: is this
Noah's Ark2"
Yes" replied Pop. And who
are you?"
Il arr the whale it answered,
and it's funny that you didn't invite
me to join you on this trip of yours"
"Oh, we didn't invite any fish,"
said Pop. only animals. reptiles,
insects. and so on. you know; land
animals only"
That's why I complain" added
the whale. Il am a mammal! [
am not a fish any more than that
thing with the long snout that's
looking out Of that window there. l
don't lay eggs and l nurse my
babies just like any other well-made
creatures"
That's news TO mel" declared Pop
In wonder. AT any rate, your name
wasn't down on my list and / can't
see where l could have slowed you,
anyhow! Guess you must be the
biggest thing in the world,"
"0h, ! never could have accom-
panied you" said the whale. but
l would like to have received an in
Yitation just as a souvenir"
well. l am very sorry it happen
ed So" began Pop.
"Oh. pray don't apologize" said
the whale; 81 mercy wanted to let
you know who / am and TO show
you that you had missed one man.
NAL who didn't happen to have
long, wrinkled snout. or horns, or
whiskers, or wool, or feathers, that's
all. Good morning."
The gorilla was hanging far out
of the window and in order to obtain
a closer view and perhaps to retort
extensively to the remark of the
whale about wrinkled snouts. the
elephant pushed him so that with
a loud yell and a tremendous splash
he plunged into the water The Ark
was moving along with considerable
speed and the poor gorilla, who can
not swim at all. would surely have
drowned had not the whale come to
his rescue and taken hi-n upon his
great broad back. Then be brought
him close TO our vessel and the
giraffe very cley erly reached out and
allowed him to climb aboard along
his slender neck
THAT was a close CALI" eXclaim-