[Illustration: Skipper Blubberkins.] They were cruising about in the air above the Whale’s head, wondering how to announce their visit politely, there being no front door knocker, nor even an electric bell. “Look out! I believe something’s going to happen!” cried Tibbs, suddenly. For there had come a strange gurgling sound beneath them. And the next moment, before the Albatross could move a wing, the Whale SPOUTED! They were drenched! They were soaked to the skin, and even under that! This was evidently a little joke on the part of the Whale, for he had his absurd little eyes open all the while, and must have waited until the Albatross and the children were over his head. “Man the pumps, you lubberly longshoremen! I’m foundering!” shouted the distracted bird. “Who’s floundering? What do you mean?” cried Tibbs, bewildered by the sudden uprush of water. Kiddiwee was too frightened to say anything at first; he just clung to one of the bird’s big wing feathers, and waited for the deluge to stop. Coppertop was the calmest of all. She was so busy trying to obey the orders of the confused Albatross that she had no time to be afraid. “Tibbs, do help!” she cried. “He wants us to ‘man the pumps’--whatever that is! And where are the pumps? I can’t see any. It’s terrifikly confusing!” she added. “And my hair’s all in my eyes! I’m positive I look a sight!” “Yes, you do!” said Tibbs, with brotherly frankness. “And the old bird is crazy!” he cried. “He imagines he’s a ship.” “He looks more like a bed to me!” said Coppertop. And then she wondered why she had said it. Then came the gurgling sound from below, once more. The Albatross swerved, and the children turned pale--they thought they were going to have a second drenching. But this time it was only Mr. Skipper Blubberkins laughing at the success of his little joke. At this the Albatross quivered with rage, and flew down to tell the Whale exactly--or very nearly--what he thought of him. He was in a furious temper, and shrieked at the placid Whale. But Mr. Skipper Blubberkins only gurgled more than ever, until the bird grew so hoarse he could not utter another word. “You shouldn’t lose your temper, and say things like that in front of my sister!” cried Tibbs, leaning forward and shouting to the angry bird. “Lar! Bless me!” cried the Whale, as he caught sight of Tibbs. “Why didn’t you say you had a cargo aboard. Maybe I shouldn’t have made so free with my spoutings, if I’d known.” “Blow me!” retorted the Albatross, “you should look before you spout!” “Where are e’ going, my dears?” shouted the Whale, as two other heads came peeping over. “To the West Land,” answered Coppertop. “We’re searching for a December day,” she added, “and we thought the West Wind might lend us one of his.”