Of course, some of the animals didn't eat any of Mrs. Noah's lunch. The giraffe stood near by and ate the tender leaves off the tops of the trees and the monkeys ate cocoanuts, and the ducks and geese kept close to the water and snapped up little fishes and snails. But everybody had a wonderful time. "I think, Mother," said Capt. Noah, wiping the crumbs from the tablecloth, and holding them out to a little brown thrush who had sat on his shoulder during the meal, "we had better spend the night ashore. I'll bring the big tent from the Ark and set it up under the trees. I'm going to do a little painting inside the Ark this afternoon." "That's a very good idea," said Mrs. Noah. When the tent was set up and the ropes securely fastened to the pegs which had been driven into the ground, Mrs. Noah and Marjorie busied themselves fixing it up inside in order to make it comfortable for the night. And when evening came, a bright fire was lighted and after supper, everybody sat around and talked. Ham popped corn and Marjorie roasted apples. "Nine o'clock," said Capt. Noah, "time for bed. We must be up early in the morning." "It was the loveliest picnic I ever had," said Marjorie, as she kissed Mrs. Noah good night. [Illustration: Captain Noah called all the Animals aboard the Ark] THE STORM By noon the next day Capt. Noah reported that the paint was dry and the Ark ready to set sail. "We must get the animals together," he said, looking anxiously about. "I can't imagine where they have all gone to." "Well, I'll have everything packed and ready to put aboard by the time you round up your passengers," laughed Mrs. Noah who never seemed to worry about anything, and Marjorie thought she was the nicest person she had ever met. "Come, boys," commanded Capt. Noah, "let's start the hunt. I hope the island isn't large, for I don't fancy walking many miles in this hot climate." So they all started off, Mr. Jonah and the three Noah boys following Capt. Noah, and after walking for some time they came to the top of a hill, from which they had a good view of the island. And not very far away were all the animals, enjoying themselves to their hearts' content. Capt. Noah took his bugle and blew a long blast, and at once all the animals looked around. Then he blew again, and after that the animals formed in line with the Elephant at their head and marched toward them. When they reached the Ark the gang-plank was lowered and they all marched aboard. Everything below decks was in apple-pie order and the animals all seemed glad to be once more back in the Ark. "All's well that ends well," said Capt. Noah, turning to Mr. Jonah. "My duty is to land these animals safely after the rain is over. But it looks to me as if it were going to commence again." "There's a big black cloud in the west," shouted the Weathercock, who had flown up to his perch on the flagpole and was keeping a sharp lookout.