" light," reply " we've come end tunnel " Then, while Cap'n Bill lighted candle, the creature added: " is true, we needn't have wakened so soon, for we were almost end place when we went to sleep "

The sailor-man and Trot came forward with light wall of rock really faced the tunnel, but now they saw opening made sharp turn left So they followed on, by narrower passage, and then made another sharp turn right

"Blow out the light, Cap'n," said the Ork, in pleased voice "We've struck daylight "

Daylight at last ! shaft of mellow light fell almost at their feet as Trot sailor turned the corner passage, but it came from above, and raising their eyes they found they were bottom of deep, rocky well, top far, far above their heads And here the passage ended

For while they gazed in silence, two being filled with dismay sight But the Ork merely whistled softly and said cheerfully:

"That toughest journey I ever had the misfortune to undertake, and I'm glad it's over Yet, unless manage to fly top pit, entombed here forever "

" room enough to fly in ? " asked the little girl anxiously; and Cap'n Bill added:

"It's straight-up shaft, so I don't see how you'll ever manage it "

"Were I an ordinary bird -- one horrid feathered things -- I wouldn't even attempt to fly out," said the Ork "But my mechanical propeller tail can accomplish wonders, and whenever you're ready I'll show you trick worth while "

"Oh ! " exclaimed Trot; " intend us up, too ? "

" ? "

" ," said Cap'n Bill, " 'd go first, an' then send somebody to by lettin' down rope "

"Ropes are dangerous," replied the Ork, "and I one to reach all this distance Besides, it stands to reason that if get out myself also carry you two with me "

"Well, I'm not afraid," said Trot, who longed earth's surface again

"S'pose we fall ? " suggested Cap'n Bill, doubtfully

"Why, case all fall together," returned the Ork "Get aboard, little girl; sit across my shoulders and put both your arms around my neck "

Trot obeyed and when she was seated Ork, Cap'n Bill inquired:

"How 'bout me, Mr Ork ? "

"Why, you'd best grab hold rear legs and let me carry you up manner," reply

Cap'n Bill looked way up top well, and then he looked Ork's slender, skinny legs and heaved deep sigh

"It's goin' some dangle, I guess; but don't waste time way up, I to hang on," said he

"All ready, then ! " cried the Ork, and at once his whirling tail began to revolve Trot felt herself rising air; creature's legs left the ground Cap'n Bill grasped two firmly and held on for dear life The Ork's body was tipped straight upward, and Trot had to embrace the neck very tightly from sliding off Even position the Ork had trouble in escaping the rough sides well it exclaimed "Wow ! " as it bumped its back, or wing hit against some jagged projection; but the tail kept whirling with remarkable swiftness daylight grew brighter and brighter , indeed, long journey bottom top, yet almost before Trot realized they had come , they popped hole clear air and sunshine and moment later the Ork alighted gently ground

The release was so sudden that even creature's care for its passengers Cap'n Bill struck the earth with shock that sent him rolling heel over head; but Trot had slid down from her seat the old sailor-man was sitting up and looking around him with much satisfaction

"It's sort o' pretty here," said he

"Earth is beautiful place ! " cried Trot

"I wonder where on earth ? " pondered the Ork, turning first one bright eye and then the other side Trees there were, in plenty, and shrubs and flowers and green turf But there were no houses; there were no paths; no sign of civilization whatever

"Just before I settled down ground I caught view ocean," said the Ork "Let's see if right " Then he flew to little hill, near by, and Trot and Cap'n Bill followed him more slowly stood top hill see the blue waves ocean in front , right , and left Behind the hill was forest that shut out the view

" it ain't an island, Trot," said Cap'n Bill gravely

" , I s'pose we're prisoners," she replied

"Ezzackly so, Trot "

"But, 'even so, it's better than those terr'ble underground tunnels and caverns," declared the girl

" right, little one," agreed the Ork "Anything above ground is better best that lies under ground So let's not quarrel fate but be thankful we've escaped "

" , indeed ! " she replied "But I wonder find something to eat place ? "

"Let's explore an' find out," proposed Cap'n Bill "Those trees over left look like cherry-trees "

way the explorers had to walk through tangle of vines and Cap'n Bill, who went first, stumbled and pitched forward face

"Why, it's melon ! " cried Trot delightedly, as she saw what had caused the sailor

Cap'n Bill rose foot, for not at all hurt, and examined the melon Then his big jackknife pocket and cut the melon open quite ripe and looked delicious; but the old man tasted it before he permitted Trot to eat any Deciding good her big slice and then offered the Ork some The creature looked fruit somewhat disdainfully, at first, but once he had tasted its flavor he ate of it as heartily as did the others vines they discovered melons, and Trot said gratefully: "Well, there's no danger starving, even an island "

"Melons," remarked Cap'n Bill, "are both food an' water We couldn't have struck anything better "

Farther on they came cherry trees, where they obtained fruit, and edge little forest were wild plums The forest itself consisted entirely of nut trees -- walnuts, filberts, almonds and chestnuts -- so there plenty of wholesome food while they remained there

Cap'n Bill and Trot decided to walk forest, to discover other side of it, but the Ork's feet were still so sore and "lumpy" from walking rocks creature said he preferred to fly over the tree-tops and meet them other side The forest was not large, so by walking briskly for fifteen minutes they reached its farthest edge and saw before them the shore ocean

"It's an island, all right," said Trot, with sigh

"Yes, and pretty island, too," said Cap'n Bill, trying to conceal his disappointment on Trot's account "I guess, partner, wuss comes wuss, build raft -- or even boat -- from those trees, so's sail away "

The little girl brightened suggestion "I don't see the Ork anywhere," she remarked, looking around Then her eyes lighted upon something and she exclaimed: "Oh, Cap'n Bill ! Isn't that house, over there left ? "

Cap'n Bill, looking closely, saw shed-like structure built at one edge forest

"Seems like it, Trot Not that I'd call it much of house, but it's buildin', all right Let's go over an' see 's occypied "

Chapter Five

The Little Old Man Island

few steps brought them shed, merely roof of boughs built over square space, with some branches of trees fastened sides off the wind The front was quite open and faced the sea, and as our friends came nearer they observed little man, with long pointed beard, sitting motionless on stool and staring thoughtfully out over the water

"Get way, please," in fretful voice "Can't obstructing my view ? "

"Good morning," said Cap'n Bill, politely

"It isn't good morning ! " snapped the little man "I've seen plenty of mornings better than this call it good morning when I'm pestered crowd ? "

Trot was astonished to hear such words from stranger whom they had greeted quite properly, and Cap'n Bill grew red little man's rudeness But the sailor said, in quiet tone of voice:

" the as lives 'ere island ? "

"Your grammar's bad," reply "But my own exclusive island, and I'll off it "

"We'd like to ," said Trot, and then she and Cap'n Bill turned away and walked down shore, if land was in sight

The little man rose and followed them, although both were now too provoked any attention to him

Nothin' in sight, partner," reported Cap'n Bill, shading his eyes hand; "so we'll have to stay here for time, anyhow It isn't bad place, Trot, by any means "