Sombrewater let his opinion be known at once. “Terence has convinced me,” he said. “Henceforward we cannot do better than trust ourselves entirely to his pink-footed fairies. Which direction is now indicated by the Peach-blossom People, Terence?” A light was on the brow of the bard. “They drift up-stream, between the willows.” “Well, now,” broke in Fulke Arnott, “it so happened that I was talking just now to that fierce-faced Chink. Strangely enough, he knows this country, and he says that the river is only navigable a few miles up, except for small craft.” “Then,” replied Terence, “we are to proceed in small craft.” “Or until we meet some Green Figs going the other way,” put in Quentin. Terence did not hear. “This morning as I was walking on the deck,” he continued, “there passed by among the hills a man riding upon a goat. He had a face of supernatural majesty and his eyes were terrible, and he rode beside the river and on into the hills, driving his goat with a branch of Peach-blossom.” “The indications are plain,” said Lord Sombrewater. “We leave the ship here in the care of Barnes and the officers. The crew, I am told, have already disappeared, except for Fulke’s friend. We ourselves make a journey inland with the portable wireless until the Peach-blossom cloud comes to rest and attaches itself to a tree. If necessary, we accompany the portent as far as Tibet, but personally I hope the destination of these ghosts is within reasonable distance. What do you say?” “I have a feeling,” said Fulke, “that it won’t be very far. That same Chinaman spoke of a dragon that is famous in these parts. It lives, I believe, in the hills yonder.” “We must see that bird,” said Lord Sombrewater. To George Sprot it was criminal levity to propose exchanging the conveniences of their expensive machine for the discomforts and dangers of an excursion through an unknown country, and all because of the drivelling of a literary man. “What will the ladies say!” he exclaimed. “Naturally we shall consult everybody concerned. Shall we do so at once?” Taking Ambrose with him, the owner of the vessel went forthwith to discuss matters with the captain. In twenty minutes the whole thing was arranged, and Barnes was in receipt of full instructions as to the course he was to pursue in case of trouble. “I shall, of course, keep in close touch by wireless,” said Lord Sombrewater. “That makes it all quite easy,” said Captain Barnes. “There’s one thing, though. We must have some sort of crew on board.” “Oddly enough,” said the first officer, “that Chinaman butler and man-of-all-work mentioned to me this morning that he would have no difficulty in getting hold of a thoroughly reliable crew.” “Did he indeed?” observed Lord Sombrewater. “Can you tell me whether the said Chinaman had anything to do with the steering of us the night before last in the storm?”