"That isn't a fish; it's a man." "I tell you it is a fish. Do you think I don't know a fish when I see one." "Nonsense!" shouted the others. "It's a man." "I say he is a fish. Don't you see that he has a Finn on his back, and Finns each side of him?" returned Scott. "You get out!" shouted Jones. "A fellow that will deliberately make a pun isn't fit to live in polite society." "Then I'm finished for polite society," added Scott; "though I don't see how you know anything about it, for you never were there, or your manners belie you. By the way, did you know that our government had sent over to this country for a fortune-teller, or seer--one of those fellows they used to have in Scotland?" "What for?" asked Laybold. "They want to make him secretary of the treasury." "Why so?" inquired Jones. "Because they need a financier; for the fellow would certainly be one. There, do you see that French conjunction on the shore? Hear him bark." "That is a dog," protested Laybold. "What of it? Isn't it _afin que?_ Well, those are strange people," continued Scott, shaking his head. "What's the matter with them?" "Matter? Did you oversee the 'finny tribe' walking about on shore before?" "You are a monster, Scott," laughed Jones. "Yes, a sea-monster; and if I were monarch of all I surveyed, I should have plenty of Finns. Do you suppose those women have any nephews and nieces?" asked Scott, still gazing at the group of men, women, and children, who had gathered on the beach to see the squadron. "Of course they have." "Then we must go on shore and be introduced to them." "But we can't speak Finnish." "In that case we shall be obliged to finish speaking." "But why should we be introduced to the 'women with nephews and nieces?'" "Because it is eminently proper and right that American young gentlemen should be acquainted with finance. The boats are coming, and I am like that shed on the beach." "I don't see it." "Yes--Finnish shed. Come, tumble down the hatchway," said Scott, as he led the way to the steerage. Mr. Mapps, the instructor in geography and history, was already at his post, which post was the foremast of the ship, whereon was hung a large map of Finland, drawn by himself on the back side of another map, with black paint and a marking brush; for he had not been able to find a printed one on a large scale. The students from the consorts soon appeared, and a few raps with the professor's pointer procured silence. "Where are we now, young gentlemen?" he began. "Here, sir," responded Scott. "A little more definitely, if you please." "Eastern hemisphere, sir," added Scott. "Excellent; but couldn't you venture to come a little nearer to the point." "Near Åbo, in Finland," said another student.