6o Three Young Crusoes 



Beyond the tobacco were vines bearing spikes 

 of small green flowers trained on poles almost as tall 

 as hop poles. But the boys obtained no clue to 

 their identity until they dug one of them up and 

 found roots somewhat like sweet potatoes, but 

 larger, more irregular in shape, and not so sweet. 

 These are what we have been eating," said William. 

 *'Edna found quite a lot in the closet and has been boil- 

 ing them. You remember how we liked them?" 

 They were really yams, quite different from sweet 

 potatoes and preferred to them by many people in 

 the West Indies, where they are extensively grown. 

 A single yam will sometimes weigh over thirty 

 pounds. 



"Pineapples!" exclaimed Henry. *'I saw some 

 little ones at the Botanical Garden. Look at the 

 ripe fruit! W^atch out for the sharp teeth on the 

 leaves! I'd hate to have to gather pineapples for a 

 livmg. 



"I always thought pineapples grew on trees," 

 said William. ''Let's try one." He selected a 

 soft, ripe one and peeled it carefully, while the juice 

 ran between his fingers in an appetizing way. 

 "Won't Edna be glad to get these," he said, after a 

 few delicious bites. "I never tasted anything so 

 good in my life." 



