" King Island, allow me , and you're intruding on my property," declared the little man, scowling upon them " don't like me --and I'm sure you don't, for no one else does -- why don't you go away and leave me to myself ? "

"Well, the Ork can fly, but 't," explained Trot, in answer "We don't want to stay here bit, but I don't see how get away "

" go back hole you came from "

Cap'n Bill shook his head; Trot shuddered thought; the Ork laughed aloud

" King here," the creature said to Pessim, "but we intend to run this island to suit ourselves, for three and one, balance of power lies "

The little man made no reply , although walked back shed his face wore its fiercest scowl Cap'n Bill gathered lot of leaves and, assisted by Trot, prepared two nice beds in opposite corners shed Pessim slept in hammock which he swung between two trees

They required no dishes, as all their food consisted of fruits and nuts picked trees; they made no fire, weather was warm and nothing to cook; the shed had no furniture the rude stool which the little man was accustomed to sit upon it his "throne" let him keep it

So they lived island for three days, and rested and ate hearts' content Still, they at all happy life because of Pessim He continually found fault , and all did, and all their surroundings He nothing good or admirable in all the world and Trot soon came to understand why the little man's former neighbors had brought him island and left him there, all alone, so annoy anyone their misfortune led place by their adventures, for often preferred the company of wild beast of Pessim

fourth day happy thought came Ork They had all been racking their brains for possible way to leave the island, and discussing this or that method, without finding plan that was practical Cap'n Bill had said make raft trees, big enough to float them all, but he had no tools except those two pocketknives and not possible to chop down tree small blades

"And s'pose we got afloat ocean," said Trot, "where would we drift to, and how long would it take us there ? "

Cap'n Bill was forced to admit he didn't know The Ork could fly away island it wished to, but the queer creature was loyal new friends and refused to leave them lonely, forsaken place

when Trot urged him , fourth morning, Ork had his happy thought

" go," said he, " two will agree to ride upon my back "

" too heavy; drop us," objected Cap'n Bill

"Yes, rather heavy for long journey," acknowledged the Ork, "but eat lavender berries and become so small that carry you with ease "

This quaint suggestion startled Trot and she looked gravely speaker while she considered it, but Cap'n Bill gave scornful snort and asked:

"What would become of us afterward ? We wouldn't be much good were some inches high No, Mr Ork, I'd rather stay here, as , than be hop-o'-my- thumb somewhere else "

"Why couldn't you take dark purple berries along , to eat after we had reached our destination ? " inquired the Ork "Then grow big again whenever you pleased "

Trot clapped her hands with delight

"That's it ! " she exclaimed "Let's , Cap'n Bill "

The old sailor like the idea at first, but he thought it over carefully more he thought the better it seemed

"How could you manage to carry us, were so small ? " he asked

" put you in paper bag, and tie the bag around my neck "

"But we haven't paper bag," objected Trot

The Ork looked at her

"There's your sunbonnet," it said presently, " hollow middle and has two strings that tie around my neck "

Trot took off her sunbonnet and regarded it critically Yes, it might easily hold both her and Cap'n Bill, after they had eaten the lavender berries and been reduced in size She tied the strings around the Ork's neck sunbonnet made bag two tiny people might ride without danger of falling out So she said:

"I b'lieve we'll that way, Cap'n "

Cap'n Bill groaned but could make no logical objection except plan seemed to him quite dangerous -- and dangerous in more ways than one

" so, myself," said Trot soberly "But nobody can stay alive without getting into danger sometimes, and danger doesn't mean getting hurt, Cap'n; it only means get hurt So I guess we'll have to risk "

"Let's go and find the berries," said the Ork

They said nothing to Pessim, who was sitting stool and scowling dismally as he stared ocean, but started at once to seek the trees that bore the magic fruits The Ork remembered where the lavender berries grew and led his companions quickly spot

Cap'n Bill gathered two berries and placed them carefully pocket Then they went around east side island and found the tree that bore the dark purple berries

"I guess I'll take four ," said the sailor-man, so one doesn't make us grow big eat another "

"Better take six," advised the Ork "It's well safe side, and I'm sure these trees grow nowhere else in all the world "

So Cap'n Bill gathered six purple berries and with their precious fruit they returned shed to big good-bye to Pessim Perhaps not have granted the surly little man this courtesy had they not wished to use him to tie the sunbonnet around the Ork's neck

When Pessim learned they were about to leave him he at first looked greatly pleased, but he suddenly recollected that nothing ought him and so began to grumble about being left alone

" it wouldn't suit you," remarked Cap'n Bill "It didn't suit you us here, and it won't suit you us go away "

" quite true," admitted Pessim "I haven't been suited since remember; so it doesn't matter least whether you go or stay "

interested in their experiment, however, and willingly agreed to assist, although he prophesied fall sunbonnet on their way and be either drowned ocean or crushed upon some rocky shore This uncheerful prospect daunt Trot, but it made Cap'n Bill quite nervous

" eat my berry first," said Trot, as she placed her sunbonnet ground, manner that get

Then she ate the lavender berry and in few seconds became so small that Cap'n Bill picked her up gently thumb and one finger and placed her middle sunbonnet Then he placed beside her the six purple berries -- being about as big tiny Trot's head -- and all preparations being now made the old sailor ate his lavender berry and became -- wooden leg and all !

Cap'n Bill stumbled sadly in trying to climb over the edge sunbonnet and pitched in beside Trot headfirst, which caused the unhappy Pessim to laugh with glee Then the King Island picked up the sunbonnet -- so rudely that he shook its occupants like peas in pod -- and tied it, strings, securely around the Ork's neck

" , Trot, you sewed those strings on tight," said Cap'n Bill anxiously

"Why, very heavy, ," she replied, "so the stitches will hold But be careful and not crush the berries, Cap'n "

"One is jammed already," , looking at them

"All ready ? " asked the Ork

"Yes ! " they cried together, and Pessim came close sunbonnet and called out : "You'll be smashed or drowned, I'm sure ! But farewell, and good riddance "

The Ork was provoked unkind speech, so he turned his tail toward the little man and made it revolve so fast rush of air tumbled Pessim over backward and he rolled ground before stop himself and sit up the Ork was high air and speeding swiftly over the ocean

Chapter Six

The Flight Midgets

Cap'n Bill and Trot rode very comfortably sunbonnet The motion was quite steady, for they weighed so little Ork flew without effort Yet they were both somewhat nervous about their future fate and help wishing they were safe on land and their natural size again

"You're terr'ble small, Trot," remarked Cap'n Bill, looking at his companion

"Same , Cap'n," she said with laugh; "but as long as the purple berries we needn't worry about our size "

"In circus," mused the old man, "we'd be curiosities But in sunbonnet -- high up air -- sailin' over big, unknown ocean -- they ain't no word in any booktionary to describe us "

"Why, we're midgets, that's all," said the little girl The Ork flew silently The slight swaying sunbonnet made Cap'n Bill drowsy, and he began to doze Trot, however, was wide awake, and after enduring the monotonous journey as long as she was able she called out:

"Don't land anywhere, Mr Ork ? "

"Not yet," he answered " big ocean and I've no idea direction the nearest land island lies; but if I keep flying in straight line I'm sure to reach some place "

That seemed reasonable, so the little people sunbonnet remained as patient as possible; , Cap'n Bill dozed and Trot tried to remember her geography lessons so figure out what land they were likely to arrive at

For hours and hours the Ork flew steadily, keeping straight line and searching eyes the horizon ocean for land Cap'n Bill was fast asleep and snoring and Trot had laid her head shoulder to rest it when suddenly the Ork exclaimed:

"There ! I've caught glimpse of land, at last "

announcement they roused themselves Cap'n Bill stood up and tried to peek over the edge sunbonnet

"What does it look like ? " he inquired

"Looks like another island," said the Ork; "but judge it better in minute or two "

"I don't care much for islands, since we visited that other one," declared Trot

Soon the Ork made another announcement

" surely an island, and little one, too," said he "But I won't stop, because much bigger land straight ahead of it "

"That's right," approved Cap'n Bill "The bigger the land, the better suit us "