X . A STRANGE ISLAND . One day I lay rocking in my boat , reading a very famous book , which all children know and love ; and the name of which I 'll tell you by and by . So busily was I reading , that I never minded the tide ; and presently discovered that I was floating out to sea , with neither sail nor oar . At first I was very much frightened ; for there was no one in sight on land or sea , and I did n't know where I might drift to . But the water was calm , the sky clear , and the wind blew balmily ; so I waited for what should happen . Presently I saw a speck on the sea , and eagerly watched it ; for it drew rapidly near , and seemed to be going my way . When it came closer , I was much amazed ; for , of all the queer boats I ever saw , this was the queerest . It was a great wooden bowl , very cracked and old ; and in it sat three gray-headed little gentlemen with spectacles , all reading busily , and letting the boat go where it pleased . Now , right in their way was a rock ; and I called out , `` Sir , sir , take care . '' But my call came too late : crash went the bowl , out came the bottom , and down plumped all the little gentlemen into the sea . I tried not to laugh , as the books , wigs , and spectacles flew about ; and , urging my boat nearer , I managed to fish them up , dripping and sneezing , and looking like drowned kittens . When the flurry was over , and they had got their breath , I asked who they were , and where they were going . `` We are from Gotham , ma'am , '' said the fattest one , wiping a very wet face on a very wet handkerchief . `` We were going to that island yonder . We have often tried , but never got there : it 's always so , and I begin to think the thing ca n't be done . '' I looked where he pointed ; and , sure enough , there was an island where I had never seen one before . I rubbed my eyes , and looked again . Yes : there it was , -- a little island , with trees and people on it ; for I saw smoke coming out of the chimney of a queerly-shaped house on the shore . `` What is the name of it ? ''
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asked flew know letting looking plumped reading saw seen wiping