“I don’t believe I care much if I do!” sighed Coppertop. “Things are so awfully disappointing--just when I thought I had it, too! If I don’t get it soon, Mummie and Daddy will arrive on no day at all, and I shan’t be there either. They’ll be terrifikly upset--I know they will. And I’m just dying to see them.” “You’ll die without seeing them, my dear, if you don’t do as I tell you. Keep your heart and your heels up.” “Cheer up, old girl!” said Tibbs, who was swimming close by. “’Es, cheer up, Cece!” echoed Kiddiwee, as he floated past. “But I did think I had it at last!” sobbed Coppertop. [Illustration: The Albatross and the Sea-Maidens (p. 58).] “You can’t get a thing by just ‘wishing’ for it,” warned Mr. Atom. “Nothing that’s worth having is won that way.” “That’s all very well, but however are we to get it? We shan’t find it in this horrid old sea,” pouted the child. “Then take to your wings and fly to the West Land as fast as you can--that’s my advice,” said Mr. Atom. “Wings!” shouted the children. “Why, we quite forgot we had any!” cried Coppertop, brightening up. “There is always a way out of troubles,” smiled Mr. Atom. “By-by!” And he was gone. Up into the warm air flew the children, spreading their wings gladly. And-- Keeping the Sunshine Upon the right shoulder they sped off towards the West. After flying some miles, they came upon a number of sea-gulls, who seemed very interested in the children. “Funny things,” said one gull. “They don’t seem to have any tails.” “I expect they’re some new kind of bat,” said another. “Bats have four legs, and so have these!” “Very ugly bats!” cried a third; “their skin is all loose, and they haven’t any fur on it.” “They are not bats. Bats only fly in the twilight! These have wings like flying fish,” said one who had travelled far. “Queer fish!” sneered another. “I shouldn’t like to eat ’em. You try.” “Gracious! I only hope they don’t!” cried Coppertop, in alarm. “They’d better not attempt to!” said Tibbs, rolling back his sleeves. “Do you remember that lovely sea-gull pie we ate last Sunday!” he cried in a loud voice. “We didn’t----” began Coppertop. “Hush!” warned Tibbs. “Look!” For at the mention of “sea-gull pie” the birds nearest to them grew pale, and edged nervously away. “Monsters!” shrieked a large hen sea-gull, but she flew off when Tibbs looked at her. And very soon they all departed, uttering dismal cries, and the travellers were left in peace to continue their journey. * * * * * “Gracious me! what is that great bird?” cried Coppertop, pointing to a large white creature gliding through the air in front of them. “It’s a great-great-grandpapa sea-gull, I ’spect,” ventured Kiddiwee. “Nonsense!” said Tibbs. “That’s an Albatross.” “’Es, so it is!” agreed Kiddiwee. “Do Albertroters bite?” he added. “We shall soon know,” said Tibbs, as the great bird swooped round and came towards them.