And so real was the scene as they marched in their sealskin suits--poor Sing among them, though he could not sing--and so inspiring was the music, that the vast assemblage sat still as death, every sense strained to the highest tension, that they might not lose a movement nor note. When they finished, the shout that went up was a tremendous lungburst that was simply deafening. Men, women, and children jumped upon their feet, waved their handkerchiefs, and screamed and shouted themselves hoarse. Nor would they cease until the lights had all been turned low, and they realized that the Children of the Skies would appear no more that night. They had improved the opportunity while the multitude thus encored to make their escape in their carriages to the hotel.
"I don't know, Doctor, but you will be responsible for many cases of lunacy among our people," said the mayor. "I never saw them so utterly carried away as they were with your company and the globe. All you have to do is to take to the stage and you can bankrupt the nation."
After a quiet supper with a select party of notables of the city, our friends were permitted to retire for the night.
"I am anxious to get on to Washington. This is very pleasant, but I much prefer the cabin of Silver Cloud, with you, my dear friends, to all this hustling, cramming, and jambing. The people are kind as they can be, and are doing everything for our comfort and pleasure, but I never could endure being crowded. Give me plenty of elbow room or give me death!" cried Dr. Jones.
"Who would have thought that our march about the pole would make such a sensation!" said Mrs. Jones. "Your North Pole March will make your fortune, Fred. You should immediately copyright and publish it. You could sell thousands of copies to-morrow."
"All right, Mrs. Jones; I will profit by your suggestion," answered Fred, gayly. "Dear old Silver Cloud is making us all famous and rich. Strike while the iron's hot;' 'Make hay while the sun shines;' etc. My next attempt will be the Silver Cloud Waltz. This is the tide in my affairs, and I must be thrifty enough to take it at its flood."
On the following morning after breakfast it was observed that the wind was from the nor-nor-east, or nearly exactly toward their destination.