We gave up being pirates years ago , ' explained Una . ` We 're nearly always explorers now . Sailing round the world , you know . ' ` Round ? ' said Sir Richard . He sat him in the comfortable crotch of an old ash-root on the bank . ` How can it be round ? ' ` Was n't it in your books ? ' Dan suggested . He had been doing geography at his last lesson . ' I can neither write nor read , ' he replied . ` Canst thou read , child ? ' ` Yes , ' said Dan , ` barring the very long words . ' ` Wonderful ! Read to me , that I may hear for myself . ' Dan flushed , but opened the book and began -- gabbling a little -- at ` The Discoverer of the North Cape . ' ` Othere , the old sea-captain , Who dwelt in Helgoland , To King Alfred , the lover of truth , Brought a snow-white walrus tooth , That he held in his brown right hand . ' ` But -- but -- this I know ! This is an old song ! This I have heard sung !
This is a miracle , ' Sir XXXXX interrupted .
Alfred Cape Dan Othere Richard Una ash-root crotch right sea-captain