atch on the sail, could easily delude himself into
fancying the coast-line of the Long Stork was the veritable shore of New
Swishford.

"Isn't it prime, old man," said he, "and won't it be primer still when
the real time comes? I never guessed it would be so easy. Not a
thing's gone wrong."

"No; and think of the lark of landing and collaring the island, too. I
say, who does the Long Stork belong to?"

"Don't know--the Long Storks, I guess. They're the only inhabitants I
ever heard of."

"Well, I'm sorry for them. But, I say, Gayford, it's just as well we
have got some grub on board, for there's not much sign of forests and
game, and all that sort of thing here."

Not much indeed! Long Stork Island was a barren rock about a mile long
and half a mile wide, with a few scraggy patches of grass on its
uninviting slope. No living creatures but the wild sea-birds patronised
it in the winter, when the waves lashed over the island and sent their
salt spray from one end to the other. Even they seemed to avoid it.
But beggars cannot be choosers, and as the Long Stork was the only
island of our heroes' acquaintance within reach, they had to take it as
it was and make the best of it.

A decided sea was running on the landward side of the island as they
approached it, and even such inexperienced navigators as Bowler and
Gayford could see that there would be some difficulty about effecting a
quiet landing.

"Better go round the other side," said Gayford; "it'll be quiet enough
there out of the wind."

So the boat's nose was put out to make a circuit of the Long Stork.

"Look out, I say!" said, or rather groaned Braintree from the bows.
"Don't make the boat woll. Why can't you wun her stwait in the way
you--?"

His further observations were cut short, and during the rest of the time
that the "Eliza" was rounding the stormy cape he and Tubbs and Crashford
were in a decidedly pensive mood. At last the circumnavigation was
accomplished, and in tranquil water the boat cruised along under the
sheltered shore of the island. The sail was lowered, oars were put out,
the invalids sat up, and Bowler, standing up in the bows, scanned the
coast for a likely landing-place.

He had not to search long. A little natural pier of rock ran out
invitingly, alongside which the boat was slowly and triumphantly
brought.

"Now, you fellows," said Crashford, "here goes for first on shore. Out
of the way, Tubby. Hurrah for New Sw