"Well, leap on my back," said the Horse, "and I'll see that you get there if it's in the water." So Kernel Cob got astride the horse and helped Sweetclover to mount behind him. "Where are we?" asked Kernel Cob. "Cuba is right over there," said the sea-horse pointing with his ear. "Well, let's see if they are there, if you please," said Sweetclover. "Aye, aye, Miss," he said, and trotted away as nearly like a real horse as he could. They had gone along for a couple of hours without mishap when a storm came up. At first the sea-horse paid no attention to the storm, but one great big clap of thunder rang out and a flash of lightning struck so close it startled him. With a great leap, he started forward, his eyes bulging from his head, and, with a stream of foam flung out from his mouth, he turned and raced through the water at a terrific rate, Kernel Cob and Sweetclover clinging to him with all their strength. "He's a runaway," shouted Kernel Cob and, sure enough, the horse was mad and nothing could stop him. On and on they raced, but everything must come to an end and along about the afternoon, they saw land in the distance. Toward this he made at breakneck speed and with a final spurt dashed into an inlet where many ships rode at anchor and a large city rose against the sky. "Hurrah!" shouted Kernel Cob. In and out among the ships the sea-horse ran, until, with a last gasp, he flung himself forward and fell upon the surface of the water. [Illustration] CHAPTER VII When the sea-horse fell, Kernel Cob and Sweetclover were thrown over his head and landed into the water, but Kernel Cob told Sweetclover they would soon be picked up. And so they were, for a row-boat pulled toward them and in a minute they were taken from the water and laid on the bottom of the boat. "What did I tell you?" said Kernel Cob. "If you wish for anything strong enough you'll get it." "You'll wish you were never born before you get out of here," said a deep, strange voice, and looking about, Kernel Cob and Sweetclover were surprised to see two puppets, their own size. The one who spoke was a villainous-looking fellow dressed as a Pirate. His face was browned as if by the sun, earrings were in his ears, a black hat on his head, and a deep and very ugly scowl was painted on his forehead. The other was good looking and resembled the hero in a story. He had pink cheeks and a pretty smile. Now, when Sweetclover heard the villainous puppet speak, she moved away from him but Kernel Cob, who always welcomed a new adventure and saw in this fellow a possible enemy, spoke up: "Who and what are you?" "A friend," answered the Villain. "You don't look it," said Sweetclover, "you look more like a villain." "And so I am," said he. "At least that's what I'm painted to be, but I have a kind heart just the same." "What are you doing out here in this boat?" asked Kernel Cob. "The man who is rowing and who picked you up is a puppet showman," he explained.