"Oh, well, it is some time since we met, certainly; but perhaps you know my friend?" said the Dodo, introducing the Eteraedarium, who came forward with an engaging grin. The poor Missionary gave him a hasty glance through his glasses, and then, nervously clutching his guide book and umbrella, muttered something about "an important engagement," and fled in the direction of the big clock. "Strange how nervous everybody is in my presence," murmured the Dodo, conceitedly. "It's doubtless my beauty and brilliant wit which alarms them; but, come on, let's go out to the lake, and I'll take you for a row." [Illustration: "The Dodo was a muff at rowing."] So, having met with the Palaeotherium, they all three got into a boat. The Dodo was a muff at rowing, though, and kept "catching a crab," which disaster he accounted for by declaring that the fishes would keep holding on to his oar when he dipped it into the water; but the Palaeotherium, who was in the bow of the boat, and consequently got all of the splashes and knocks with the oar, declared that this was all nonsense, and I am inclined to agree with him. CHAPTER XX. A DIFFICULTY WITH THE ROUNDABOUT. While the Dodo and his friends were enjoying themselves on the lake, the children and the others were wandering about the grounds, and continually discovering fresh attractions. What puzzled them not a little, however, was the fact that there seemed to be no other visitors about, and even the attendants had disappeared in a most mysterious manner. At the roundabout the steam was up, but there was apparently nobody in charge. "What a pity," said Dick, "I should have liked very much to have gone around on the horses, wouldn't you, Marjorie?" "I should," chimed in Fidge. "Yes, it would have been rather jolly," said Marjorie. "Don't you think perhaps the Prehistoric Doctor could manage to set it going? Let's ask him." "Well, my dear," said the Doctor, when consulted on the subject, "I don't know much about machinery, but I'll try, if you like." "What's that?" inquired the Dodo, just then coming up, he having failed to get on with the rowing to his own or anybody else's satisfaction. "Why, we are just discussing the question of setting this roundabout going," explained the Doctor. "Pooh! the easiest thing in the world," said the Dodo. "You just get on, and I'll soon start you off." "All right," cried the Doctor, getting astride one of the horses. "Hold on!" cried the Palaeotherium; "let us get on, too." And he and several of the others clambered up to their places. "I think," whispered Marjorie, nervously, "that we had better wait and see how they get on, before trying ourselves." "That's just like a girl," cried Dick--"afraid of everything." "I'm not," replied Marjorie, indignantly; "I'm quite ready to go on, if you want to--only I thought----" "All aboard!" interrupted the Dodo, pulling the lever. "Stop! Stop!" shouted Dick; "we want to get on."