TOM: HIS WIVES— HIS BATTLES 



293 



birthplace. The plea of the rocks was not raised as any- 

 just cause or impediment to the match when Tom by force 

 of arms espoused Nelly. " Jimmy," Tom and Nelly's son, 

 born in civilisation, bears a second name, that of a deceased 

 uncle, " Toola-un-guy," the totemic rendering of which is 

 now unknown. Another "Jimmy," a native of Hinchin- 

 brook, is differentiated by " Yaeki-muggie," the title of the 

 sandspit of one of the Brook Islands. 



The confusion of tongues between Tom and Nelly may 

 be briefly illustrated — 



The big-eyed walking fish of the mangroves, which the 

 learned have named Periophthalmus koelreuteri, Tom knows 

 as " manning-tsang," and Nelly as " mourn." 



During one of his bachelordom interludes a smart young 

 CTin known as " Dolly " attracted Tom's fancy. He had just 

 •' signed on " for a six months' cruise with the master of a 

 b6che-de-mer schooner. Dolly smiled so sweetly upon 



