" not," whispered Trot to Cap'n Bill -- so softly Ork hear her -- "for I shouldn't like in country where only Orks live Ork isn't bad companion, but lot of him wouldn't be much fun "

After few more minutes of flying the Ork called out in sad voice:

"No ! my country It's place never seen before, although wandered far and wide It all mountains and deserts and green valleys and queer cities and lakes and rivers --mixed up in very puzzling way "

"Most countries are like that," commented Cap'n Bill " going to land ? "

"Pretty soon," reply " mountain peak just ahead of me What say to our landing ? "

"All right," agreed the sailor-man, for both he and Trot were getting tired of riding sunbonnet and longed to set foot on solid ground again

So the Ork slowed down his speed and then came to stop so easily were scarcely jarred at all Then the creature squatted down until the sunbonnet rested ground, and began trying to unfasten with its claws the knotted strings

This proved very clumsy task, because the strings were tied back Ork's neck, just where his claws easily reach After much fumbling :

"I'm afraid 't let you out, and no one near to help me "

at first discouraging, but after little thought Cap'n Bill said:

" don't mind, Trot, cut slit in your sunbonnet with my knife "

"Do," she replied "The slit won't matter, 'cause sew it up again afterward, when big "

So Cap'n Bill got out his knife, just as small, in proportion, as , and after considerable trouble managed to cut long slit sunbonnet First he squeezed opening himself and then helped Trot out

stood on firm ground again their first act was eating the dark purple berries which they had brought Two Trot had guarded carefully during the long journey, by holding them in her lap, for their safety meant much tiny people

"I'm not very hungry," said the little girl as she handed berry to Cap'n Bill, "but hunger doesn't count, in It's like taking medicine you well, so manage to eat 'em, somehow or other "

But the berries proved quite pleasant to taste and as Cap'n Bill and Trot nibbled at their edges their forms began to grow in size -- slowly but steadily The bigger they grew the easier to eat the berries, which became smaller , and the fruit was eaten our friends had regained their natural size

The little girl was greatly relieved when she found herself as large as she had ever been, and Cap'n Bill shared her satisfaction; for, although they had seen the effect berries Ork, they sure the magic fruit the same effect on human beings, or magic would work in country than that berries grew

"What shall other four berries ? " asked Trot, as she picked up her sunbonnet, marveling that she had ever been small enough to ride "They're no good now, are they, Cap'n ? "

"I'm not sure ," he replied " were eaten by one who had never eaten the lavender berries, they no effect at all; but then, contrarywise, One of 'em has got badly jammed, so I'll throw it away, but the other three I b'lieve I'll carry with me They're magic things, , and may come handy "

He now searched big pockets and drew out small wooden box with sliding cover The sailor had kept an assortment of nails, of various sizes, box, but those he now dumped loosely into his pocket and box placed the three sound purple berries

important matter was attended to they found time to look what sort of place the Ork had landed them in

Chapter Seven

The Bumpy Man

The mountain they had alighted was not barren waste, but had on its sides patches of green grass, some bushes, few slender trees and here and there masses of tumbled rocks The sides slope seemed rather steep, but with care one could climb up or down them with ease and safety The view from where they now stood showed pleasant valleys and fertile hills lying below the heights Trot thought she saw some houses of queer shapes scattered lower landscape, and there were moving dots that people or animals, yet were too far away for her them clearly

Not far place where they stood top mountain, which seemed flat, so the Ork proposed companions that fly up there

"That's good idea," said Trot, "'cause it's getting toward evening and we'll have place to sleep "

The Ork gone more than saw him appear edge top nearest them

"Come on up ! "

So Trot and Cap'n Bill began to ascend the steep slope and it take them long to reach the place where the Ork awaited them

Their first view mountain top pleased them level space of wider extent than they had guessed and upon it grew grass of brilliant green color very center stood house built of stone and very neatly constructed No one was in sight, but smoke was coming chimney, so with one accord all three began walking toward the house

"I wonder," said Trot, "in what country , and 's very far from my home in California " "Can't say , partner," answered Cap'n Bill, "but I'm mighty certain we've come long way since we struck that whirlpool "

"Yes," she agreed, with sigh, "it miles and miles ! "

"Distance means nothing," said the Ork " flown pretty much all over the world, trying my home, and astonishing little countries , hidden away cracks and corners big globe of Earth If one travels, find some new country at every turn, and have never yet been put maps "

"P'raps ," suggested Trot

They reached the house after brisk walk and Cap'n Bill knocked door at once opened by rugged looking man who had "bumps all over him," as Trot afterward declared There were bumps head, bumps body and bumps arms and legs and hands Even his fingers had bumps ends For dress he wore an old gray suit of fantastic design, which fitted him very badly because bumps it covered but conceal

But the Bumpy Man's eyes were kind and twinkling in expression and his visitors he bowed low and said in rather bumpy voice:

"Happy day ! Come in and shut the door, grows cool sun goes down Winter is now upon us "

"Why, it isn't cold bit, outside," said Trot, "so it can't be winter yet "

" change your mind in little while," declared the Bumpy Man "My bumps always tell me the state weather, feel just now snowstorm was coming But make yourselves at home, strangers Supper is nearly ready and food enough for all "

Inside the house but one large room, simply but comfortably furnished It had benches, table and fireplace, all made of stone hearth pot was bubbling and steaming, and Trot thought it had rather nice smell The visitors seated themselves benches -- except the Ork which squatted fireplace -- Bumpy Man began stirring the kettle briskly

"May I ask what country , sir ? " inquired Cap'n Bill

"Goodness me -- fruit-cake and apple-sauce ! --don't where ? " asked the Bumpy Man, as he stopped stirring and looked speaker in surprise

"No," admitted Cap'n Bill "We've just arrived "

"Lost your way ? " questioned the Bumpy Man

"Not exactly," said Cap'n Bill "We didn't have to lose "

"Ah ! " said the Bumpy Man, nodding his bumpy head "This," he announced, in solemn, impressive voice, " famous Land of Mo "

"Oh ! " exclaimed the sailor girl, both in one breath But, never having heard Land of Mo, they were no wiser than before

" startle you," remarked the Bumpy Man, well pleased, as he resumed his stirring The Ork watched him while in silence and then asked:

" you be ? "

"Me ? " answered the Bumpy Man "Haven't you heard of me ? Gingerbread and lemon-juice ! I'm known, far and wide, Mountain Ear "

They all received in silence at first, for they were trying what mean Finally Trot mustered up courage to ask:

" Mountain Ear, please ? "

For answer the man turned around and faced them, waving the spoon he stirring the kettle, as he recited the following verses in singsong tone of voice:

"Here's mountain, hard of hearing,

That's sad-hearted and needs cheering, So my duty is to listen to all sounds that Nature makes,

So the hill won't get uneasy --

Get to coughing, or get sneezy -- monster bump, when frightened, is quite liable to quakes

" hear bell that's ringing;

feel some people's singing; But mountain isn't sensible of what goes on, and so

When I hear blizzard blowing

Or it's raining hard, or snowing, I tell it mountain mountain seems

"Thus I benefit all people

While I'm living steeple, For I keep the mountain steady so my neighbors all may thrive

With my list'ning and my shouting