When the last day came , he was in such spirits that he was found doing double-shuffles in corners , hugging the midshipmite , who was a little girl of about Kitty 's age , and treating his messmates to peanuts with a lavish hand . Will had her hornpipe , also , when the curtain was down , kissed every one of the other `` sisters , cousins , and aunts , '' and joined lustily in the rousing farewell cheers given by the crew . A few hours later , a cheerful-looking boy might have been seen trudging toward one of the railway-stations . A new hat , brave in blue streamers , was on his head ; a red balloon struggled to escape from one hand ; a shabby carpet-bag , stuffed full , was in the other ; and a pair of shiny shoes creaked briskly , as if the feet inside were going on a very pleasant errand . About this young traveller , who walked with a sailor-like roll and lurch , revolved a little girl chattering like a magpie , and occasionally breaking into song , as if she could n't help it . `` Be sure you come next Saturday ; it wo n't be half such fun if you do n't go halves , '' said the boy , beaming at her as he hauled down the impatient balloon , which seemed inclined to break from its moorings '' ` Yes , I know That is so ! ' '' hummed the girl with a skip to starboard , that she might bear a hand with the bag . `` Keep some cherries for me , and do n't forget to give Kit the doll I dressed for her . '' `` I should n't have been going myself if it had n't been for you , Will . I never shall forget that , '' said Jimmy , whom intense satisfaction rendered rather more sedate than his friend . `` Running away to sea is great fun , ` With a tar that ploughs the water ! ' '' sung Will in spite of herself . '' ` And a gallant captain 's daughter , ' '' echoed Jimmy , smiling across the carpet-bag . Then both joined in an irrepressible chorus of `` Dash it ! Dash it ! '' as a big man nearly upset them and a dog barked madly at the balloon . Being safely landed in the train , Jimmy hung out of the window till the last minute , discussing his new prospects with Will , who stood on tiptoe outside , bubbling over with fun . `` I 'll teach you to make butter and cheese , and you shall be my dairy-woman , for I mean to be a farmer , '' he said , just as the bell rang . `` All right , I 'd like that ever so much . '' And then the irrepressible madcap burst out , to the great amusement of the passengers , -- '' ` For you might have been a Roosian , A Frenchman , Turk or Proosian , Or an Ital-i-an . ' ''
And XXXXX could not resist shouting back , as the train began to move , -- '' ` But in spite of all temptations To belong to other nations , I 'm an Amer-i-can . ' ''
Frenchman Jimmy Kitty Will double-shuffles madcap messmates midshipmite right streamers