"I wonder," whispered Trot, "what "

"Who, me ? " exclaimed the creature in shrill, high- pitched voice "Why, I'm an Ork "

"Oh ! " said the girl "But an Ork ? "

" ," he repeated, little proudly, as he shook the water funny wings; "and if ever an Ork was glad water and on dry land again, mighty sure that I'm that especial, individual Ork ! "

" been water long ? " inquired Cap'n Bill, thinking it only polite to show an interest strange creature

"why, this last ducking was about ten minutes, I believe, 's about nine minutes and sixty seconds too long for comfort," reply "But last night in an awful pickle, I assure you The whirlpool caught me, and --"

"Oh, were you whirlpool, too ? " asked Trot eagerly

her glance that was somewhat reproachful

"I believe mentioning the fact, young lady, when your desire interrupted me," said the Ork " not usually careless in my actions, but that whirlpool was so busy yesterday that I'd see what mischief So I flew little too near it suction air drew me down depths ocean Water and I are natural enemies, and it conquered me bevy of pretty mermaids come to my assistance and dragged me away whirling water and far up into cavern, where they deserted me "

"Why, that's same thing that happened ," cried Trot "Was your cavern like ? "

"I haven't examined yet," answered the Ork; "but happen alike I shudder at our fate, other one was prison, with no outlet except water I stayed there all night, however, and I plunged pool, as far down as go, and then swam as hard and as far as The rocks scraped my back, , and I barely escaped the clutches of an ugly sea- monster; but by and by surface to catch my breath, and found myself here That's the whole story, and as something to eat I entreat you share of it The truth is, I'm half starved "

words the Ork squatted down beside them Very reluctantly Cap'n Bill drew another biscuit pocket and held it out The Ork promptly seized it in one front claws and began to nibble the biscuit in much the same manner parrot done

"We haven't much grub," said the sailor-man, "but we're willin' to share it with comrade in distress "

"That's right," returned the Ork, cocking its head sidewise in cheerful manner, and then silence while they all ate biscuits After while Trot said:

"I've never seen or heard of an Ork before Are there many of you ? "

" rather few and exclusive, I believe," reply " country where born the absolute rulers of all living things, from ants to elephants "

"What country ? " asked Cap'n Bill

"Orkland "

"Where does it lie ? "

"I don't know, exactly , restless nature, for some reason, while all the rest race are quiet and contented Orks and seldom stray far from home From childhood days I loved to fly long distances away, although father often warned me that get into trouble by so doing

"'It's big world, Flipper, my son,' say, 'and I've heard that in parts of it live queer two- legged creatures called Men, who war upon all other living things and little respect for even an Ork '

"This naturally aroused my curiosity and after I had completed my education and left school I decided to fly out world and try glimpse creatures called Men So I left home without saying good-bye, an act always regret Adventures were many, I sighted men , but have never before been so close as now Also I had to fight my way air, for I met gigantic birds, with fluffy feathers all over them, which attacked me fiercely Besides, it kept me busy escaping from floating airships In my rambling I had lost all track of distance or direction, when home I had no idea where my country was located I've now been trying it for and during one flights over the ocean that I met the whirlpool and became its victim "

Trot and Cap'n Bill listened recital with much interest, and friendly tone and harmless appearance Ork they judged not likely so disagreeable companion as at first they had feared

The Ork sat upon its haunches much as cat does, but used the finger-like claws front legs almost as cleverly as were hands Perhaps the most curious thing creature was its tail, or what been its tail This queer arrangement of skin, bones and muscle was shaped like the propellers used on boats and airships, having fan-like surfaces and being pivoted to its body Cap'n Bill knew something of mechanics, and observing the propeller- like tail Ork :

"I s'pose you're pretty swift flyer ? "

"Yes, indeed; the Orks are admitted Kings Air "

"Your wings don't seem to amount to much," remarked Trot

"Well, very big," admitted the Ork, waving the four hollow skins gently to and fro, "but they serve to support my body air while I speed along tail Still, taken altogether, I'm very handsomely formed, don't ? "

Trot like to reply, but Cap'n Bill nodded gravely "For an Ork," said he, "you're wonder I've never seen one afore, but imagine you're as good as any "

That seemed the creature and it began walking around the cavern, making its way easily up the slope while gone, Trot and Cap'n Bill each took another sip water-flask, to wash down their breakfast

"Why, here's hole -- an exit -- an outlet ! " exclaimed the Ork from above

" ," said Trot " it last night "

"Well, then, let's be off," continued the Ork, after sticking its head black hole and sniffing "The air seems fresh and sweet, and it can't lead us to any worse place than this "

The girl sailor-man got up and climbed side Ork

"We'd about decided to explore this hole came," explained Cap'n Bill; "but it's dangerous place to navigate dark, so wait till I light candle "

" candle ? " inquired the Ork

"You'll see in minute," said Trot

The old sailor drew candles right-side pocket tin matchbox left- side pocket When he lighted the match the Ork gave startled jump and eyed the flame suspiciously; but Cap'n Bill proceeded to light the candle action interested the Ork

"Light," it said, somewhat nervously, "is valuable in hole sort The candle dangerous, ? "

"Sometimes it burns your fingers," answered Trot, "but that's worst it can do -- 'cept to blow out don't want it to "

Cap'n Bill shielded the flame hand and crept hole It wasn't any too big for grown man, but after he had crawled few feet it grew larger Trot came close behind him and then the Ork followed

"Seems like reg'lar tunnel," muttered the sailor- man, who was creeping along awkwardly because wooden leg The rocks, too, hurt his knees

For nearly half an hour the three moved slowly along the tunnel, which made many twists and turns and sometimes slanted downward and sometimes upward Finally Cap'n Bill stopped short, with an exclamation of disappointment, and held the flickering candle far ahead to light the scene

"What's wrong ? " demanded Trot, who nothing because the sailor's form completely filled the hole

"Why, we've come end travels, I guess," he replied

" hole blocked ? " inquired the Ork

"No; it's wuss nor that," replied Cap'n Bill sadly "I'm edge of precipice Wait minute an' I'll move along and let for yourselves Be careful, Trot, not "

Then he crept forward little and moved to one side, holding the candle so girl him The Ork came next and now all three knelt on narrow ledge of rock which dropped straight away and left huge black space which the tiny flame candle illuminate

"H-m ! " said the Ork, peering over the edge; "this doesn't look very promising, I'll admit But let me take your candle, and I'll fly down what's below us "

"Aren't you afraid ? " asked Trot

"Certainly I'm afraid," responded the Ork "But intend to escape 't stay shelf forever So, as you poor creatures cannot fly, my duty to explore the place "

Cap'n Bill handed the Ork the candle, which had now burned to about half its length The Ork took it in one claw rather cautiously and then tipped its body forward and slipped over the edge They heard queer buzzing sound, tail revolved, and brisk flapping peculiar wings, but they were more interested just then in following with their eyes the tiny speck of light which marked the location candle This light first made great circle, then dropped slowly downward and suddenly was extinguished, leaving everything before them black as ink

"Hi, there ! How did that happen ? " cried the Ork

"It blew out, I guess," shouted Cap'n Bill "Fetch it here "

" 't see where ," said the Ork

So Cap'n Bill got out another candle and lighted it, and its flame enabled the Ork to fly back It alighted edge and held out the bit of candle

"What made it stop burning ? " asked the creature

The wind," said Trot " more careful, "

"What's the place like ? " inquired Cap'n Bill