In Search of the Castaways [119]
armed for the battle. Even Paganel was stirred to the depths of his heart, and felt his warmer sympathy awakened for the poor child. To speak the truth, up to that moment he did not care much for a savage in European attire. He had not come to Australia to see Australians in coats and trousers. He preferred them simply tattooed, and this conventional dress jarred on his preconceived notions. But the child's genuine religious fervor won him over completely. Indeed, the wind-up of the conversation converted the worthy geographer into his best friend. It was in reply to a question Lady Helena had asked, that Toline said he was studying at the Normal School in Melbourne, and that the principal was the Reverend Mr. Paxton. "And what do they teach you?" she went on to say. "They teach me the Bible, and mathematics, and geography." Paganel pricked up his ears at this, and said, "Indeed, geography!" "Yes, sir," said Toline; "and I had the first prize for geography before the Christmas holidays." "You had the first prize for geography, my boy?" "Yes, sir. Here it is," returned Toline, pulling a book out of his pocket. It was a bible, 32mo size, and well bound. On the first page was written the words: "Normal School, Melbourne. First Prize for Geography. Toline of the Lachlan." Paganel was beside himself. An Australian well versed in geography. This was marvelous, and he could not help kissing Toline on both cheeks, just as if he had been the Reverend Mr. Paxton himself, on the day of the distribution of prizes. Paganel need not have been so amazed at this circumstance, however, for it is frequent enough in Australian schools. The little savages are very quick in learning geography. They learn it eagerly, and on the other hand, are perfectly averse to the science of arithmetic. Toline could not understand this outburst of affection on the part of the Frenchman, and looked so puzzled that Lady Helena thought she had better inform him that Paganel was a celebrated geographer and a distinguished professor on occasion. "A professor of geography!" cried Toline. "Oh, sir, do question me!" "Question you? Well, I'd like nothing better. Indeed, I was going to do it without your leave. I should very much like to see how they teach geography in the Normal School of Melbourne." "And suppose Toline trips you up, Paganel!" said McNabbs. "What a likely idea!" exclaimed the geographer. "Trip up the Secretary of the Geographical Society of France." Their examination then commenced, after Paganel had settled his spectacles firmly on his nose, drawn himself up to his full height, and put on a solemn voice becoming to a professor. "Pupil Toline, stand up." As Toline was already standing, he could not get any higher, but he waited modestly for the geographer's questions. "Pupil Toline, what are the five divisions of the globe?" "Oceanica, Asia, Africa, America, and Europe." "Perfectly so. Now we'll take Oceanica first; where are we at this moment? What are the principal divisions?" "Australia, belonging to the English; New Zealand, belonging to the English; Tasmania, belonging to the English. The islands of Chatham, Auckland, Macquarie, Kermadec, Makin, Maraki, are also belonging to the English." "Very good, and New Caledonia, the Sandwich Islands, the Mendana, the Pomotou?" "They are islands under the Protectorate of Great Britain." "What!" cried Paganel, "under the Protectorate of Great Britain. I rather think on the contrary, that France--" "France," said the child, with an astonished look. "Well, well," said Paganel; "is that what they teach you in the Melbourne Normal School?" "Yes, sir. Isn't it right?" "Oh, yes, yes, perfectly right. All Oceanica belongs to the English. That's an understood thing. Go on." Paganel's face betrayed both surprise and annoyance, to the great delight of the Major. "Let us go on to Asia," said the geographer. "Asia," replied Toline, "is an immense country. Capital--Calcutta. Chief Towns--Bombay, Madras, Calicut, Aden, Malacca, Singapore, Pegu, Colombo. The Lacca-dive Islands, the Maldives, the Chagos,