"They're pension agents.
They're not crying 'Want a cab?' but 'Want a pension?'"
"So they are," said Sam. "What is that tune the young ladies are
beginning to sing?"
"Don't you know?" said the Mayor, laughing. "It's 'Captain Jinks.'
You'll know it well enough before you are here long. Listen."
Sam listened and heard sung for the first time lines that were to be
imprinted upon his tympanum until they became a torture:
"I'm Captain Jinks of the Cubapines,
The pink of human war-machines,
Who teaches emperors, kings, and queens
The way to run an army."
The news of the kissing reached the City Hall before the procession,
and when he alighted there Sam had to kiss an immense number of women
who were determined not to be outdone by their sisters at the wharf,
while the whole crowd sang "Captain Jinks" in a frenzy of enthusiasm.
The reception accorded to Sam at St. Kisco was so elaborate, and the
arrangements made to do him honor were so extended, that he was obliged
to stay there for several days. Meanwhile the news of his arrival and
of his gallantry in kissing his countrywomen, young and old, spread all
over the land and took hold of the popular imagination. Invitations to
visit various cities on his way across the Continent began to come in,
and everywhere Sam was acclaimed as the hero and idol of the people.
"It's great, it's great, old man!" cried Cleary.
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